Young Leader Focuses on Continuous Improvement

“I believe the most challenging part about my job as a supervisor is continuing our ‘lean journey’,” Jerry Eighmy says.

Continuous improvement for operational efficiency and company culture is top of mind for Jerry Eighmy, business team leader at American Turned Products (ATP) in Erie, Pennsylvania. In his five years in that role, Eighmy, a 2020 Production Machining Emerging Leader, has educated himself about continuous improvement and lean initiatives, and how to implement them at both ATP’s Erie and Fairview, Pennsylvania, locations. He has received training in Kaizen events and Kata, and by using Paul Akers’ 2-Second Lean initiative, he says the company has dramatically improved its culture and will continue to do so by engaging its employees.

Eighmy, son of co-owner Scott Eighmy, supervises about 40 employees who cover all shifts for manufacturing operations, making components for electric vehicles, hydraulic valve assemblies, engine timing, ammunition and more.

“I believe the most challenging part about my job as a supervisor is continuing our ‘lean journey’,” Eighmy says. “We are about five years into our lean journey and it is one of the best things we’ve ever done. The biggest challenge is to continually give our employees what they need to be successful and feel empowered to make improvements on their own.”

This third-generation family member says he has been lucky to have had great mentorship and experience working in various roles in the manufacturing industry. Eigmy has not only learned from the family business but from taking advantage of its Precision Machined Products Association (PMPA) membership. He has been an active member, having previously served on the marketing committee and attending various national technical conferences. He says building a network, especially through the PMPA, has been an invaluable resource for him and the company through the years.

“My advice for anyone young considering a career in manufacturing would be to get as much hands-on experience as you can,” he says. “Learn as much as you can from some of your most experienced employees and take the time to reach out to as many people within your organization and respective associations as possible.”

After graduating from Miami University in 2011 with a degree in economics, Eighmy began working full time at ATP as a buyer. His nominator, Drew Hoffman, vice president at the company, says that role gave Eighmy ground-level experience to truly understand the business and how to positively impact the organization.

“He has taken on many projects and challenges to not only improve the company but himself, as another Eighmy generation, looking to lead ATP in the not-too-distant future,” Hoffman says.

To learn about all of the 2020 Emerging Leaders, read Meet Production Machining’s 2020 Emerging Leaders.

To watch videos about our 2020 Emerging Leaders, click on the links below: