Executives Go Underground in Mobile, Alabama; Top Management of Trenchless Technology Leader Take Over Crew's Job for the Week E-mail or Print this story
24 May 2006, 09:13am ET
ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 2006--They understand the technology, but their hands-on experience with doing the actual work is minimal if not non-existent. That is changing this week, however, when top management of Insituform Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq National Market: INSU) takes over a work crew's responsibilities in Mobile, Alabama, and gets up close and personal with actual sewage.
At the suggestion of a crew employee six months ago, the leadership team, known internally as the "Corporate Suits," pledged that they would take on this project for the work crew with the greatest productivity increase in the first quarter of 2006. The crew currently working in Mobile won the "Get the Dirt on Management" competition with a 14 percent increase, and was able to take the week off while their management takes over. Several planned to bring lawn chairs and watch as their leaders made their best attempt.
Mentioned Last Change INSU 21.83 0.14dollars or (0.63%) The team coming through on the pledge includes Tom Rooney, President and CEO, Tom Vossman, Senior Vice President and COO, Patrice Orleach, Vice President, Europe, Alex Buehler, Vice President, Marketing and Technology, Andy Stroud, Vice President, Human Resources, Tim Minahan, Vice President and CIO, David Morris, Vice President and General Counsel and David Martin, Vice President and Corporate Controller. The Suits traveled to Mobile, are bunking double in a local hotel just like the crews do, and are committed to doing their work - rehabilitating almost 2500 feet of pipe - no matter how many man-hours it takes.
Team preparation began a few weeks ago with intensive safety training for the senior staff. There's no doubt there will be a lot of on-the-job training for upper management, however, and more than a few sore muscles. And this will be the most expensive project in Insituform's long history in terms of man-hour cost, but none of those costs will be passed on to the customer - the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System - who are accepting their new workers with good humor.
"We believe the Dirt on Management competition helped increase productivity across the company," Rooney said.
"Just as importantly, it will be a real learning experience for senior management, and a demonstration, I hope, that we are willing to do what we ask of our crews. For as long as we hold out, at least."
Insituform, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is the global leader in using trenchless technologies to rehabilitate, replace, maintain and install underground pipes. To learn more, visit www.insituform.com .
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