MUSCLE SHOALS-Firestone Building Products Company, LLC (Firestone) announced today that its Muscle Shoals, Alabama, manufacturing facility has reached the milestone of working one million man-hours without a lost-time accident, an accomplishment over nine years in the making.
“Safety is ingrained in our operations, and reflects the commitment of all teammates, from leadership to the plant floor,” said Coy L. Johnson, plant manager. “This accomplishment reflects the hard work of many, and I am pleased that our plant is joining the ranks of Firestone Building Products facilities that have achieved this significant milestone.”
Firestone has an established safety and health program that includes training, evaluation of basic systems, internal audits and continuous improvement. Daily, monthly and quarterly meetings focus on workplace safety and process safety management. Teammates are fully engaged in the safety process, and there is active, visible involvement of all levels of management.
In 2016, the Muscle Shoals plant, which produces thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) single-ply roofing membranes for high performance roofing systems, will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Since 2006, the plant has been recognized with five internal safety awards for dedication to employee safety in the workplace.
An expansion of the Muscle Shoals plant operations was completed in 2013. The expansion more than doubled the size of the plant, adding 150,000 square feet. Since the expansion, the facility has modified one production line, added another production line and added a new production process, all of which have created approximately 80 new jobs in the local community.
A celebration commemorating the milestone was held on Wednesday, October 7. Community leaders, including Tuscumbia, Alabama, Mayor Billy S. Shoemaker, Executive Director of Shoals Economic Development Authority (SEDA) Forrest Wright and Solid Waste Authority Manager Howard Keeton were in attendance, along with Firestone’s Director of Manufacturing Tamara Martensen.
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