• Developed and implemented a comprehensive safety and health management system;
• Established a safety and health committee, with both employee and management participation; 
• Developed an employee training system, with an emphasis on how to do the work in a safe and healthful manner; and 
• Worked diligently to change their workplace culture to reflect the importance of worker safety.

The facility has worked with the MIOSHA CET Division over several years and they participated in MIOSHA's "Take a Stand Day" in 2007 and 2008. They have an active safety committee and members are empowered to not only help identify hazards, but also find solutions to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

CET Senior Safety Consultant Jennifer Clark-Denson, MBA, conducted a hazard survey at the plant, which allowed them the opportunity to walk through the facility with a MIOSHA representative and correct any problem areas that were noted.

"Companies that establish an integrated safety and health program reap the benefits of significantly reducing their injury and illness rates," said Kalinowski. "Reducing these rates not only protects employees-it has a healthy impact on a company's bottom line."

TWB Company, LLC, was formed in 1992 as a joint venture between Thyssen Stahl AG and Worthington Industries. Thyssen developed the laser welding of automotive body panels in the early 1980s and Worthington is a leading steel processor in North America. Based in Monroe, TWB currently has five North American facilities.

TWB has largely developed the tailor welded blank market in North America since its inception and is currently the leading manufacturer of tailor welded products in North America. Tailor welded blanks have evolved from same gauge steel sheets welded together to different thickness and/or strengths that are joined together to consolidate stampings and achieve cost effective weight reduction. There are over 20 common automotive body parts that are laser welded today. The tailor welded blank is the link between high safety requirements and affordable weight reduction.

Tailored products allow the designer and engineer to consolidate steel parts into a single stamping with various material combinations throughout the blank, tube or coil. TWB has grown over the years with products that meet or exceed the demands of the automotive industry. Their product lines include, tailored welded blanks, engineered blanks (curvilinear or 2D), tailor welded orbitals (tubes), tailor welded coils, patchwork blanks and FlexStep weld seam off-set capability.

 

Read more releases from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth