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Thompson Electric
ToolWatch Part of Thompson Electric's Success—Replacement Costs Shrink as Business Grows
Ohio-based Thompson Electric, Inc. (TEI) can handle virtually any kind of electrical project, from a simple residential installation to a multimillion-dollar construction assignment. The company has grown steadily since its founding in 1977 and more than 150 field personnel work at jobsites around the state. Among their clients are the Ohio Department of Transportation, Six Flags and Chrysler Corporation. The company's divisions include commercial and residential construction and service, temperature control, high voltage, traffic signalization and outside lighting.
Keeping tools in the right hands was a big challenge for Tools and Equipment Manager, Eugene Thompson. Missing and stolen tools cost the company time and money in delays and lost productivity. While most missing tools are simply misplaced by employees, in one case a few years ago before the company implemented ToolWatch, thieves took an entire gang box from a Sears project site over a weekend. On Monday, the company scrambled to replace the tools so work could proceed on schedule.
Experiences like the Sears theft helped company leadership recognize the need for a better method of tracking their thousands of tools and in 1994 they implemented the ToolWatch System.
Now more than 4,600 tools are assigned to the company's fleet of 65 vans and to individual employees. Says Thompson, "When tools are delivered to a new jobsite, the truck driver hands the foreman a list of tools so he knows exactly what he has on hand."
Another effort that saves time and reduces loss and tool hoarding is the company's monthly tool reporting process. ToolWatch generates a monthly list of tools assigned to each jobsite and field foremen must check tools off on the report and account for any missing items.
Theft is not TEI's major challenge, but tracking tools between the company's more than two dozen jobsites is, says Thompson. "Now that we use ToolWatch, we don't lose many tools, so we don't pay for replacements. Our job estimates are more accurate because we can control costs. That's really important when we're committed to a project budget."
One example of TEI's success with ToolWatch is a long-term project at Chrysler Corporation's stamping plant where TEI's employees work round-the-clock in 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. The company started the project in November 1999 and 80 employees use the jobsite tool inventory worth $200,000. "Chrysler is in a hurry to get the job finished and with ToolWatch we don't have to worry about lost time due to missing tools," he says.
There's a lot at stake. Completing the job on time could result in more Chrysler projects for Thompson Electric.
ToolWatch ensures that Thompson Electric delivers the on-time, on-budget performance the company's clients have come to expect. Mr. Thompson is a self-professed ToolWatch supporter. As a result of his recommendations, several other contractors have become ToolWatch users.
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