The Path to Workforce Stabilization for JTEKT®
To address workforce gaps impacting production efficiency, a new approach to worker onboarding, training, and engagement was needed.
More About JTEKT
JTEKT North America Corporation, part of JTEKT Corporation, was founded in 2006 through the merger of Koyo Seiko, Co., LTD and Toyoda Machine Works, LTD, forming a new global company combining modern technology with a rich heritage of quality. With more than 5,000 associates and 23 facilities, including 12 manufacturing sites, 3 technical centers, and 5 distribution centers, JTEKT North America manufactures a broad range of products including steering and driveline systems, bearings, and machining equipment, and machine tools.
Overview
JTEKT partnered with Landrum Workforce Management because of its ability to improve production outcomes by increasing worker attraction, engagement, performance, and retention and adding operational bandwidth for the execution of strategic projects.
Challenges
JTEKT had a significant number of vacancies on its production lines and a high level of turnover among workers. There was limited bandwidth to apply to process review and improvement.
Results
Leveraging Landrum’s national recruiting team, JTEKT was able to fill 90 production vacancies within just a few weeks.
Using the Workforce Management toolkit, Landrum was able to improve monthly worker retention from 28% to 85% within 6 months with continued improvement postsprint.
Through the application of Predictive Recruiting, Landrum was able to achieve zero days to fill by accessing a ready pipeline of pre-screened workers.
JTEKT Morristown, TN uses Landrum Workforce Management to support:
Recruiting
Orientation
Training
HR Support
Engagement
What is the Workforce Management Toolkit?
Predictive Recruiting & AI Engagement
We leverage site-specific retention and production data to accurately forecast headcount needs. Our AI-powered recruiter ensures rapid applicant engagement, followed by personalized human interaction to keep the process seamless. By recruiting in advance based on calculated demand, we make sure that when an order comes in, the right person is already identified, screened, and ready to start work. This proactive approach minimizes downtime and eliminates gaps where production managers would otherwise struggle to operate with fewer team members which keeps your plant running at full strength.
Structured Onboarding & Training
We start with pre-assessments, site tours, and behavioral screening to ensure the right fit and provide consistent orientation programs prepare every new hire for day-one readiness.
Retention & Engagement Systems
We introduce practical tools like attendance incentives, supervisor evaluations, and scheduled employee touchpoints that have boosted retention from 28% to 85% in under 7 months.
Onsite Leadership & Discipline-Specific Support
We provide flexible onsite support across EHS, quality, logistics, and manufacturing engineering, built around the specific needs of your facility.
Lean Process Management
Lean tools like A3s, DMAIC, 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams, and standard/leader standard work to improve production and workforce processes.
Kaizen Projects & ValueShare Cost Reduction
We deliver pre-vetted Kaizen projects that deliver measurable cost reductions, including material flow improvements, injury-prevention initiatives, and cart optimization.
Scorecard Reporting & KPI Visibility
We give leaders monthly reporting on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people metrics to improve visibility, accountability, and operational performance.
How Does it Help Manufacturing Sites?
We provide clients with sustainable processes and a stable workforce so they can focus on core KPIs.
Landrum Workforce Management delivers a full-cycle, performance-based solution that improves productivity, quality, and retention. Beginning with targeted recruitment and screening, Landrum ensures the right people enter the workforce. From there, structured onboarding, safety support, and ongoing training help employees quickly reach expected production and quality levels.
As workers perform, we track KPIs, reports on outcomes, and adjusts workforce strategies to continuously improve results. This creates a closed-loop system: recruiting, training, performance measurement, safety, and retention. This is all managed in partnership with the client to drive measurable workforce and production efficiency.
Our JTEKT Morristown, Tennessee site, began a partnership with Landrum in January of 2024. Landrum’s approach isn’t just about filling jobs. They apply a solid problem-solving methodology and together we have been able to implement creative solutions leading to improvements in hiring quality, hiring lead time, training quality, training lead time, and ultimately, improved retention of talented team members. Retention of talented team members is fundamental for stability in any organization. Stability must exist before improvement can begin.
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