Case Study: Treadway Tire Company

A. Company Overview

This case study examines Treadway Tire Company and its tire manufacturing plant in Lima, Ohio. The two root causes of the plant’s problems are high turnover and job dissatisfaction, which are expressly correlated to the company’s line foreman. The line foremen are responsible for managing workers within their section of the manufacturing line and also supervising 12-hour shifts. The line foreman are the lowest ranked management position in the company and are held directly responsible for meeting quotas which are dictated by upper management. The line foremen also lack the capability to set and enforce fair work practices and standards due to union interference, and lack of support from upper management. There is little to no training given to the line foreman in regards to management and human resource training. Many of the individuals in this position lack formal and/or college education along with a lack of experience dealing with complex employee issues and understanding their responsibilities.

B. Current situation analysis

SWOT

Strengths

• Cost efficient

• Modernized equipment

• One of the biggest tire producers

Weaknesses

• No management training

• Internal communication problems

• 12-hour shift

Opportunities

• Training programs

• Support from upper management

• Foremen can make direct impact by making suggestions

Threats

• Demoralization leads to job dissatisfaction

• Foremen position viewed unattractively

• Decreased efficiency

Situational analysis:

Foremen are pulled in conflicting directions by hourly staff, management and union

They do not get respect from any of the three key players

They feel unsupported by upper management

They have little disciplinary power, handcuffed by union bureaucracy

Dissatisfaction spreads to other employees exacerbating problems

C. Business Challenge

Long shifts-

(12 hours) contributed to absenteeism. This move saved immediate money for the company but...