Péter Lantos: our connection to our factory is a real value
Our company’s global reputation depends on us
Have you heard about the HCIWAY (Hankook Continuous Innovation Way) project and the recent successes of the 5S program that has just been dusted off? As a company, our priority is to make our employees feel that their workplace is a place worth protecting, developing and loving, which is why we have launched these new processes. Read our interview with Péter Lantos, the man responsible for the success of the project, about the vision and the results.
But what is HCIWAY? It is a step-by-step, comprehensive innovation initiative aimed at creating a safe and pleasant working environment and promoting consistent quality and efficient production. Our aim is to further improve quality and prevent and eliminate waste, scrap and inefficiencies, thereby creating a more liveable and safe workplace.
“In China and Korea, I have seen what a factory can become when it is taken care of, and what it can become when the people who work in it do not take ownership of their workplace. Our factory in Rácalmás is in the former category, but to keep it that way, we have to work together every day. It is from this realization that the HCIWAY project was born in the minds of our leaders,” says Péter Lantos, Production Innovation Team Manager, who is the project leader in Hungary.
Peter started working at the factory in August 2006, 18 years ago, and is currently in his 5th position in the company. Looking back on his career, he is proud to say that he has had to rise to new challenges in each role, which have enriched him both professionally and personally. “This factory has been part of my professional development and the evolution of my personal life. I cannot disassociate myself from it and Iam really fond of my colleagues,” he says, explaining the personal reasons why he feels at home in this community and, with it, in every corner of the plant. Why is this so important? According to Peter Lantos, it’s because it’s the foundation of the world-class quality that Hankook stands for, and ultimately what makes the factory viable, sustainable and outstanding in the long term.
“The insights of all my colleagues here are valuable and we want all employees to experience this even more in the coming years, which is why, among other things, we have launched the HCIWAY project to shape their attitudes,” he explains.
As he says, they will return to the previous suggestion scheme in a refreshed form, allowing employees to voice their opinions directly and have their ideas heard by the community and management. In addition, TOP audits will be introduced, where colleagues will have the opportunity to put forward suggestions for improvements, including to the machines, and will receive an extra reward for their ideas and activity (details of which will be announced in due course).
It is easy to to take on Peter’s great enthusiasm during a conversation, especially when he talks about the success of the 5S Days, which have been renewed as part of the project. “The daytime workers are also working to improve our machines and work areas. Recently, for example, 25 to 30 colleagues, mostly women, spent one hour painting and redecorating dozens of huge support structures, which now visibly showcase the effectiveness of teamwork. It was also a good example of how, by working together, we can do things that would otherwise not be possible. The result spoke for itself, but for me the most important thing was the enthusiasm with which our staff carried it all out, and the pride they and the operators took in the end” – points out an important aspect of HCIWAY.
If Peter and his team have their way, there will be no shortage of similar events, varied programmes and opportunities in the years to come.
Let us walk with an open heart, respect our values, encourage each other!
