Johnson Technology Inc.
Cameron Main, Contact
6060 C Norton Center Drive
Muskegon, MI 49441
(231) 767-7435
e-mail cameron.main@ge.com
Star Award: April 14, 2004 Press Release
Rising Star Award: November 26, 2003

SIC code 3724, Aircraft Engines and Engine Parts

On July 16th, Johnson Technology, Inc.’s
Norton Shores plant received the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) Star Award.

“I am proud to present this prestigious award to the employees and management of the Norton Shores plant, particularly since this is Johnson Technology’s second Star company,” said MIOSHA Director Doug Kalinowski. “Your outstanding safety and health record demonstrates that a strong safety and health program goes hand in hand with increased production and profits.”

Kalinowski presented the MVPP Star Flag to President David M. Yacavone, who accepted
the award on behalf of all Norton Shores’ 90 associates. Employees raised the MVPP Star
Flag during the ceremony. State and local elected officials, corporate leaders, and MIOSHA representatives were on hand to congratulate Johnson Technology employees and management on their outstanding achievement.

(Front) David Yacovone, Pres., Johnson Technology; Connie O’Neill, CET Dir.; Sheila Ide, CET Supv.; Cindy Larson, Pres., Musk. Area Chamber; Holly Knolan, Office/Rep. Hoekstra; Doug Kalinowski, MIOSHA Dir.; Nancy Crandall, Norton Shores Mayor. (Back) Sen. Gerry VanWoerkom; Jim Edmonson, Ex. Dir., Musk. Area First; Rep. Julie Dennis; Rep. David Farhat; Jack Kolcun, Safty Pgm. Leader; Quenten Yoder, CET Cons. Doug Kimmel, CET Const.

“We are extremely proud of this achievement, which recognizes each and every Associate who worked so hard to qualify for Star status, said Yacavone. “Our Norton Shores plant becomes our second manufacturing site in the Muskegon County area to achieve Star status. This is the ultimate demonstration of Johnson Technology’s commitment to our workers’ safety and health, while at the same time making the company more competitive.”

Johnson Technology’s Latimer plant received the MVPP Star Award on July 9, 2003. The Norton Shores plant received the MVPP Rising Star Award on December 12, 2003. Star sites must have incidence rates below the Michigan Michigan average for their SIC Code for three years, while Rising Star sites must have incidence rates below the industry average for two years.

Developing an Outstanding Record
The Johnson Technology Norton Shores plant’s incidence rates are well below the Michigan average for their SIC code 3724, Aircraft Engines and Engine Parts. The Total Case Incidence Rate for the Norton Shores plant was 4.5 in 2001, 2.2 in 2002, and 3.05 in 2003–compared to 6.4 each year for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) industry average. The Total Days Away/Restricted Cases (DART) Rate for the Norton Shores plant was 0.0 in 2001, 0.0 in 2002, and 0.0 in 2003–compared to 2.8 each year for the BLS industry average.

The MIOSHA MVPP Review Team consisted of Doug Kimmel, Team Leader; Quenten Yoder, Safety Consultant; and Jenelle Thelen, Industrial Hygienist. The team examined each of the elements of the site’s safety and health management system, and found them to be consistent with the high quality of MVPP programs.

Johnson Technology has published and posted its commitment to safety and health throughout the facility. It includes the statement: “The implementation of this policy will receive a priority equal to production and quality.” Led by President Yacavone, total staff commitment to achieving MVPP recognition was evident during the evaluation process.

Ensuring Safety Accountability
To ensure safety accountability, safety has been made a line function, and safety performance receives the same percentage (15 percent) as productivity in the employee appraisal process. The company employs a “cell” work environment and a “flat” management style that ensures strong employee (associate) involvement and empowerment in all phases of company operation.

Each work cell receives a monthly scorecard that is posted in the shop areas. Factors evaluated
include: incident rates; JSA (job safety analyses) audits completed; safety contacts completed;
cell inspections completed; timeliness of incident investigations; lapsed time to fix safety issues; scheduled training completed; and attendance at committee meetings.

Commitment of material resources to safety is substantial. All required personal protective
equipment was provided in ample quantities and appropriate for the hazards present. comprehensive safety surveys are conducted and a sophisticated system of physical hazard controls is in place and highly effective. The company also conducts exposure monitoring on a regular basis.

Individual, cell, and company-wide goals are set annually following a comprehensive audit of the safety performance and management systems. Some objectives included: 35 percent reduction in injuries and lost time rates; 15 percent reduction in work-comp costs; no employee exposures to contaminants or physical agents exceeding established limits, and implementation of the ACTION program, a behavior-based tool for improving employee work practices.

The Norton Shores plant produces turbine nozzle segments for aircraft engines. Their 90 associates annually manufacture close to 26,000 jet engine parts that are assembled into several different types of aircraft.