Not one, not two, but three projects of Manila Glass Plant’s RBF (raw materials handling, batch operation, furnace) Department were recognized by the enhanced Employee Suggestion System (ESS).

For the project proponents, clinching these achievements for themselves and for the plant carried as much value as the monetary reward. Plant manager Renato Cabrera said, “All three projects translated to about P1.3M annual savings for the plant. These show our people’s drive to constantly improve themselves and their work environment.”

To cite, Celso “Jack” Jaculba and his team of mechanics—namely, Florenio Hepuller, Albert Galang, and Florante Tuazon—put their minds together to design their own Burner Nozzle Assembly Hand Wrench Puller and Cleaning Holder. The mechanics’ daily task of maintaining furnace burners led them to create the tool for ease in cleaning and assembly. Precisely fabricated burners parts are better protected from wear and tear caused by the assembly and disassembly. This design initiative of Jaculba’s group doubled the service life of the burners.

Meanwhile, Rolando S. Santos, maintenance supervisor, sought a solution to the expensive cost of new tire rims and rising cost of rentals. “Pag may flat, downtime ang problema namin. Nag-aarkila pa kami para lang ma-sustain ang operations,” Santos said. He thought of revising the available tire rims of previous units. These rims were then retro-fitted to the new pay loader at minimal cost. This resulted in an annual savings of P103,000. “Ito ang sinasabi natin na pag may tiyaga, may nilaga,” Santos said.

Met Magrare’s group, for their part, designed a counterweight rubber scrapper for the plant’s material collecting conveyor to reduce batch spillage by 88%. “Sa proyektong ito, nakatipid kami ng P105,000 on labor and batch materials during preparation and transport. Kaya eto ngayon kami, reaping the fruits of our labor,” Magrare said. His project co-proponents are Domingo Rocero, Gorgonio Javier, Teodoro Salonoy, Redentor Bolano, Benedicto Mico, Angelito Viray, Alfredo Bidena, and Virgilio Repelente.

For the workforce of the Manila Glass Plant, the Employee Suggestion System is best described in three Es. Educate, Explore, Excite. Educate, because the ESS enables people to think, do, and develop. Explore, because it enables us to think in new ways. Excite, because it brings fulfillment and rewards. Overall, the ESS results not only in savings and improvements but spurs us toward creativity and excellence.