Finishing and Furnishing boosting productivity

How do you make sure that most if not all of your workers make it to work on time? Take them yourself.

That’s the attitude that leading furniture maker Finishing and Furnishing has adopted to get their employees to the workplace, and in the process – increase productivity.{{more}}

The idea did not come about in an effort to boost productivity, since the workers at the company’s factory are considered to be among the best in their field, but as a means to transport the carpenters to the new factory location.

According to production manager (and bus driver) Orbilius Mayers, the move came about when management realised they needed to find a way to transport the men and women who lived close to the old plant in Lowmans Leeward, to the new factory in Diamonds when the old plant closed its doors in 2000.

More than half of the employees take advantage of the service, which moves about 40 persons to and from work.

The bus leaves Kingstown promptly at 7:15 in the morning, and arrives at the workplace about 20 minutes later, and returns to Kingstown at approximately 5:40 in the afternoon.

Mayers said that the service is not entirely free, workers pay a small ‘user fee’, mainly for the upkeep of the bus. According to Mayers, the cost is much less than they would pay if they were taking their own transportation.

When asked about the seatbelt law that would soon be enforced, Mayers said that the bus is fully equipped with seatbelts. As far as safety is concerned, he said that the company ensures that employees riding in the back are well seated, or holding on to hand rails when traveling.

While Finishing and Furnishing may not be the only company to transport its employees, they appear to be one of the first to take them to the workplace. Other companies such as DiscoveryWorks, Aunt Jobe’s and KFC are known to take their late shift workers home from work. (JJ)