New launches and major model year changes require significant industrial engineering support. DaimlerChrysler’s Toledo North Assembly Plant (TNAP) was launching the Nitro on one assembly line and implementing a major model change to the Wrangler on its second assembly line. Updated labor standards, operator assignments, job instructions and line balancing had to be completed along with specifying indirect labor requirements. TNAP lacked the internal IE resources to handle this workload surge.

Four IET engineers were assigned to deal with the launch-specific issues and support day-to-day operations. Over a period of many months, IET team members dedicated themselves to accomplishing all timing milestones and labor content objectives for both launches. The hard work paid off with two successful launches. After the launch, IET’s engineers engaged in continuous improvement activities that further reduced labor, improved quality and increased overall productivity.