Power Partners Inc. Produces 8,000,000th Transformer in Its 50 Year History
7/30/2008
ATHENS, GA, July 30, 2008 - Power Partners Inc. (www.powerpartners-usa.com), a leading manufacturer of pole-type distribution transformers that bring electric power to homes and businesses throughout the world, has produced its 8,000,000th transformer at its Athens, Ga., facility, the company announced today. The milestone will be celebrated by employees and customers at an August 7th ceremony.
Power Partners was established by Westinghouse 50 years ago, owned by ABB between 1990 and 2003, and purchased by Dr. Sherrie Ford and Steve Hollis of Athens in 2003. The company is known for its high quality transformers and its record of consistently being the first company in the industry to have product out to customers following hurricanes, tornadoes and ice storms that knock out power.
Work culture consultants Ford and Hollis purchased the Athens facility five years ago. They became owners so they could influence employees to reinvent their work culture around employee-based processes and proven lean manufacturing methods, and save their manufacturing jobs. With Ford as the principal owner, the company became one of the 10 largest woman-owned businesses in the United States and is certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
The first couple of years were a roller coaster ride, with successes tempered by the weak dollar and historic cost increases set in motion by China's voracious consumption of raw materials that Power Partners needed, too. But what has become known as the PPI Way kicked into high gear in 2006, and Power Partners Inc. has been profitable since then. The PPI Way refers to a culture in which it is impossible for any manager to go solo to resolve problems, or for any hourly employee to have just one skill or role on the shop floor. People and departments work together to master production processes, work flow, training, and other facets of lean manufacturing.
Today Power Partners Inc. is paying out gain-sharing checks to employees, and recently it added a new product line. Power Partners Solar (www.powerpartnerssolar.com) is manufacturing ENERGY STAR certified solar water heaters.
On August 7 at 3 p.m., several customers will take part in the celebration associated with the production of the Athens facility's 8,000,000th transformer so Power Partners employees can thank them and all customers for the company's success. Archie Howell, the first employee that Westinghouse sent to the plant 50 years ago, will participate in the festivities, and production will be halted momentarily at the plant so all employees can participate.
About Power Partners Inc.
Power Partners Inc. is a leading manufacturer of pole-type distribution transformers that help bring electric power to homes and businesses throughout the world. It serves more than 3,000 utilities, manufacturing companies and energy producers in North America, Central America, and other markets. It is one of the ten largest woman-owned businesses in the U.S. as certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, or WBENC. Power Partners has approximately 500 employees.