09/23/2021
APB Tool Control Presentation
My name is Ben Friesen and I am the owner of a small company called APB Tool Control.
Our company has been doing Tool Control, full-time, since June of 2017.
We provide Custom Tool Storage and Organization for all clients.
I use a camera, lap top computer, Coreldraw and a light box to get a image of a item.
Once I have the image, I use a Laser Engraver to cut the image from the material the customer has selected. Vinyl, plastic, foam or wood for example.
Before I get into exactly what Tool Control is, and how it can benefit your company, first, let me start, with my background and experience.
I started working in the Aerospace industry, in 1988, with a local Aircraft Engine Overhauler, here in Winnipeg.
As a Aircraft Engine Technician, I was responsible for all the duties required, to Overhaul a T56 Turbo Prop Engine.
Four of these Aircraft Engines are used on the Hercules aircraft, by the way.
The Hercules aircraft is used world wide by Armed Forces in many countries, including ours.
For 17 years, I worked in the areas of, dismantle, cleaning, inspecting, kitting, assembly, testing and service after test of the Engine.
All very technical stuff with a lot of company policies and procedures.
Because of the nature of the business, all these rules are required and must be enforced.
I have seen many systems, in various companies, all around the world while doing Field Service for customers.
I then took a job in Alberta, and worked for a company that provided Aerial Fire fighting using Electra aircrafts. Firebombing.
I worked in their Engine Shop, for another three years, performing all the maintenance requirements of the D13 engines.
So over all, I have over twenty years experience working on Aircraft Engines.
I watched the industry closely for a long time, looking for a business opportunity.
I have found that opportunity, I believe, and APB Tool Control was formed.
What is Tool Control? Why is it important to have Tool Control where I work?
Here is the definition of the word Tool, and the word, Control in the dictionary.
TOOL: a device or implement, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function. Hammer for example.
CONTROL: the POWER to influence or direct peoples behaviour, or the course of events. For example – the whole operation is under the control of a production manager.
TOOL CONTROL IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE IN YOUR WORKPLACE, TO ENSURE PROPER RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE BEING FOLLOWED, SO YOUR BUSINESS RUNS SMOOTHLY.
Every business out there, have policies and procedures to help run their business.
Some have a lot, and run smooth, and some have hardly any, and struggle.
Systems are very important in your business, the more the better, I say.
Most companies are looking for better ways to do their business.
They strive to be leaner, more efficient, control costs, improve company morale, etc.
APB Tool Control”s company goal is to provide economical Tool Control !
Who is APB Tool Control and what can they do for me?
We are a company that will take care of all your Inventory and Tool Storage needs, by making custom spots for your items.
Our services include: organizing a workshop, toolbox, work trailer, Sea Can, or any other storage facility. Basically, you tell me, what you want controlled.
Here are some examples of why it is important to have Tool Control in your workplace:
A properly cleaned up area usually equals a safer area to work. Cluttter is removed and reduced.
You will have a more professional looking business – The overall appeareance of a business is always judged by a potential client.
Tool Control provides less frustration looking for the items you know you have.
This is probably my biggest pet peeve. Knowing I have a tool, but I can not find it.
Its amazing how many Tape measures I had, when I organized my garage.
But not one, when I needed it.
A system promotes good work habits, and trains employees, to put tools back in the proper designated spot.
A Tool Control system gives you peace of mind, knowing tools are where they should be.
When you lose a tool, you worry where it could end up. For example – in the inlet of a Turbo Fan Jet Engine. A engine that costs millions of dollars and is very expensive to repair.
I lost a tool while working at a place in the Aerospace industry.
To this day, I can still tell you what it was!!
A ¼ inch drive, black oxide, six point, 5/16 size Snap – On socket.
I never did find it.
A mechanic does not know where every tool is unless a system is in place.
Don’t let them tell you different, I was one! See my example in the white box with the screwdriver!
Tool Control can greatly improve communication – everyone knows where the tool is located
A proper system lets businesses concentrate on promoting their product, instead of searching for tools. Lets them focus on their business.
With Tool Control, enforcing proper tool usage, and return, is easier to do.
With no Tool Control System in place – it is hard to discipline a employee, for not putting a tool in its proper spot, if there isn’t one.
“ Steve – you didn’t put that floor broom away. “
Steve will say, “I found it lying against the scaffolding beside the aircraft.
“ Where do I put it?”
Implementing a system should benefit shareholders, business owners, managers and employees. A more efficient, competitive company, ensures all involved have better job security. All win.
Easily identifies when a tool is missing.
The sooner you identify that a tool is missing, the better chance you will have at its recovery.
You lose a tool for a couple of hours ( you can still retrace yours steps to look for it ) versus
a tool has been missing for a month or more. ( harder to retrace your steps after a month )
You should have better product flow through the business if Tool Control is implemented.
More efficient company = you stay more competitive.
You don’t allow your competition to exceed you.
The longer you operate your business with bare systems in place, the more the survival of your company is at risk.
This is my opinion, based on what I have seen in the industry.
Tool Control can help you avoid potential lawsuits – a system in place, helps protect the company and its employees which can save a lot of money.
If you are in the Aerospace business with Tool Control, you are in compliance with Transport Canada’s Air regulations. Following their guidelines.
I believe Tool Control helps save money!! It does cost some initial money to set up, but the advantages of having a system should pay off for itself, time and time again.
Implementing a Tool Control System doesn’t have to really expensive!
So, lets look at who is using Tool Control for their business or facility?
All Aerospace companies are required to have Tool Control Systems regulated through their appropriate country.
Transport Canada has the authority to shut down your Aerospace business if you do not follow their policies and procedures. Just because you are not a Aerospace company, doesn’t mean you can’t implement some of these systems into your business. If it works for Aerospace………….it should work for your company!
Who else uses it?
All the Armed Forces in the world use Tool Control.
I have personally seen systems in Canada, United States of America, Sweden, Chile, Holland and Columbia. There is a saying in the Aerospace field – your tools shouldn’t go on a better vacation than you do!!!!
Detention Facilities, Prisons and Jails also use it. Very important to know where all the tools are, so the inmates can’t use them against you.
Schools use them in the Industrial Arts programs. Its everywhere!!
What are some of the reasons why companies don’t have Tool Control or more systems in their business?
IN MY OPINION:
TIME and EXPERIENCE
Having all the proper systems in your business can be challenging and can seem unreachable.
Most people would say money is the main reason proper systems are not in place. I strongly disagree !!!
Businesses do have money, but they may not be exposed to all the systems out there that may work for them.
There are literally, hundreds of ways to control things. Some are very costly and require lots of money to install.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
I feel it is part of my responsibility to tell people what systems are out there, and what the pros and cons are, to each system.
My experience can help a company decide what works for them.
I have lots of fairly inexpensive ideas that can help control items.
Now, if some my ideas are used or copied, the one thing that doesn’t change, is the time it takes to implement it.
I would say TIME, is the leading reason, companies fail to install systems, that will or can, improve their business.
Any system out there will ALWAYS take time to install. Valuable company time.
Secondly, some places of work just don’t have the experience. They are not sure how to add systems that will work for them.
Number three reason: COMMITMENT FROM ALL INVOLVED
I have purposely not had this reason for number one. You can still have some systems at work, yet not have management commitment.
I’ve worked for a company for 5 years before they committed to being Worlds Best, and 12 years after all the good systems were implemented.
We were told at the start of the cultural change, by the CEO I might add – your on board for all of this, or you will not be working here for very long.
He meant it, and changes were made due to some employees refusal to change.
Buy in, has to be for everyone, including management.
I was exposed to a lot of really good work experiences.
I feel I have a good understanding of what is all involved, and I can share that.
Tool Control provides ACCOUNTABILITY: Hold everyone accountable in your company.
Is it just me, or is ACCOUNTABILITY viewed negatively in todays day and age?
To me: ACCOUNTABILITY gets results!!
Put systems in place to have the ability to solve problems, instead of laying blame.
I will say that again.
Put a Tool Control System in place, to have the ability to solve problems, instead of laying blame! I wish ALL Managers knew this.
Once a system is in place, and a problem comes up, you now can investigate what the root of the problem is. Is it employee carelessness, their attitude, training issue, or company sponsorship? Company sponsorship, you may wonder about. I knew of a fellow employee that would “borrow” company supplies everyday. When he was asked about it, he said, “ Everybody needs a sponsor!” Does your company have a system in place to protect you from these kind of sponsorship deals?
Anyone heard of this saying?
“ things have worked for the last 40 years, why change it now?”
Tool Control can help remove this old school mentality!
We have some amazing technology out there.
This is the time to think outside of the box and take advantage of whats out there.
Culture change, WILL, AND CAN BE, Very hard to change.
It can be done though, with buy-in from all!
How do you get Buy – in?
By leading by example, listening to all questions respectfully, and responding in a reasonable time frame.
Remember, you don’t always have to say yes, but addressing the question properly, should get you some acknowledgement, that you tried.
Action sheets are great for keeping people accountable.
QUESTIONS TO ASK REGARDING TOOL CONTROL or ORGANIZING
Do you have enough systems in place? What are they? How effective are they? Can they be improved?
Do employees try to improve? Do they buy into the systems that are in place? Systems will not work if employees won’t do it. It has to be enforced, to work!
Do managers enforce that items are being put away properly, if a system is implemented?
Are Bosses or Owners committed to improving systems?
Are Bosses or Owners or Employees opposed to change or different ideas?
Maybe a WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE TOOL CONTROL IN YOUR WORKPLACE training course is in order.
GOOD TOOL CONTROL SHOULD BE :
QUICK ( QUICK CHECK AT THE START OF THE DAY, AND THE END OF THE DAY, TO ENSURE TOOLS ARE NOT MISSSING)
EFFICIENT ( DO ALL YOUR TOOLS HAVE A PROPER DESIGNATED SPOT? )
CLEARLY IDENTIFIED ( IS THERE ANY CONFUSION WHAT TOOL IS MISSING )
EASY TO USE ( IF A SYSTEM IS IMPLEMENTED, DON’T CREATE TOO MUCH TIME USING THE SYSTEM )
OBVIOUS ( OBVIOUS IF A TOOL IS MISSSING, HAVING ANOTHER COLOR UNDER THE TOOL TO HELP IDENTIFY THAT THE TOOL IS MISSING )
KNOWING WHAT IS EXPECTED ( WHAT DO YOU HAVE OWNERSHIP OF AND WHAT ARE YOU ACCOUNTABLE FOR? )
100 % ENFORCED BY MANAGEMENT ( TOOL CONTROL SYSTEM MUST BE ENFORCED BY ALL DIFFERENT LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT TO WORK AND BE EFFECTIVE )
100 % DONE BY ALL EMPLOYEES ( BUY – IN FROM ALL EMPLOYEES MUST HAPPEN FOR THE TOOL CONTOL SYSTEM TO SUCCEED )
I’LL END MY PRESENTATION WITH THESE THREE KEY POINTS:
NUMBER ONE POINT - THIS IS MY DEFINITION OF TOOL CONTROL:
IT IS A SYSTEM, THAT WHEN IMPLEMENTED AND ENFORCED, CAN ALLEVIATE A LOT OF UNNECESSARY EVENTS OR PROBLEMS, THAT OCCUR WITH BUSINESSES AND ITS EMPLOYEES.
POINT NUMBER 2 - IMPLEMENTING A TOOL CONTROL SYSTEM INTO YOUR WORKPLACE WILL NOT BE THE TOTAL ANSWER TO MISPLACED ITEMS.
IT IS A SYSTEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ENFORCED FOR IT TO BE EFFECTIVE.
I COULD MAKE A BUNCH OF TWO COLOR FOAM THAT WOULD GIVE A ITEM A PROPER SPOT, BUT THE ITEM HAS TO BE CHECKED.
CHECKED AT THE START AND END OF THE WORKDAY, TO ENSURE IT IS NOT MISSING AND IS IN ITS DESIGNATED SPOT
AND LASTLY, POINT NUMBER 3 - BUSINESSES HAVE THE POWER TO INFLUENCE OR DIRECT PEOPLES BEHAVIOURS ( EMPLOYEES ) TO CONTROL THE COURSE OF EVENTS AT THEIR WORKPLACE.
HOW YOU MIGHT ASK?
WITH COMPANY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, THAT ARE ENFORCED WHEN USING A DEVICE ( TOOL ) TO ACCOMPLISH A TASK.
WHAT CAN APB TOOL CONTROL DO FOR YOU??
ACCOUNTABILITY GETS RESULTS !
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE READ MY PRESENTATION. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING TOOL CONTROL?
