The new “what did you do to your Z today” (with off topic replies) XXXVIII

JLarson

It's my Thursday. Almost done the week!

My company had a planned shutdown in December for Christmas/New Years. Just got word that one of our big customers is ramping one of their projects. The order quantity for the entire month just doubled. I don't think that shutdown is going to happen any more.

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2014 370z Touring Sport Magma Red MT // BP Single Turbo 6467 // 63mm TB's // Z1 Ported Upper Mani // RJM Pedal // Zspeed Stage 3 Clutch // 526 WHP, 451 WTQ
2006 350z (Sold) // 1990 300zx (Sold) // 1985 300zx 2+2 (Sold)

jwick

Way better than them canceling their planned orders. More work is always better than no work.

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'10 G37T 6MT Graphite/Graphite - BP - G37T Build

JLarson

I generally agree with this statement, and since I had planned to work during that time frame anyway, no impact to me. Some of our personnel will be feeling it though.

In specific, this customer concerns me. They've continued to work outside of their existing system (using spreadsheets to manage instead of a forecast system), and they've blind sided us with immense short lead-time orders on several occasions. When we've communicated some level of difficulty in meeting the need-by date, they escalate until we've got a senior executive putting pressure on us to perform heroics.

I also suspect that since they've ordered large quantities of several parts of their system, they will abruptly (and with shortened lead time) realize they forgot to place orders for the rest, and need everything yesterday. This may go from a "we plan to close during these days" to "you will all be putting in 80 hours this week" and I am concerned my company will be killed by its own success, and by the lack of preparation on the part of our customer.

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2014 370z Touring Sport Magma Red MT // BP Single Turbo 6467 // 63mm TB's // Z1 Ported Upper Mani // RJM Pedal // Zspeed Stage 3 Clutch // 526 WHP, 451 WTQ
2006 350z (Sold) // 1990 300zx (Sold) // 1985 300zx 2+2 (Sold)

Spooler

You have to be flexible to be successful these days. Sometimes it sucks but overall it is for the better.

JLarson

True. I'll take the weight of responsibility and occasional worry over unemployment any day!

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2014 370z Touring Sport Magma Red MT // BP Single Turbo 6467 // 63mm TB's // Z1 Ported Upper Mani // RJM Pedal // Zspeed Stage 3 Clutch // 526 WHP, 451 WTQ
2006 350z (Sold) // 1990 300zx (Sold) // 1985 300zx 2+2 (Sold)

Rusty

When I worked at Elliott. We had customers that would leave stuff sit for a year. Then all of a sudden wanted it done. Spent a lot of time working 12 hour days with no days off for weeks at a time. It was feast or starve.

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浪人 - 殺し屋
"The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only"
http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

jwick

That’s life in O&G everyday

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'10 G37T 6MT Graphite/Graphite - BP - G37T Build

old guy

With everything that’s going on I’m sure most everyone at the shop was looking forward to some down time and enjoying the family and the holidays. I remember similar situations when I worked production, and canceling planned down time during the holidays was just a bummer, then add the state of politics and Covid...... just saying, ( minus the Covid ) been there, done that. Even though the money was great, wasn’t a fun time.
Folks just need time to decompress
And from my personal experience the people who made the decisions all were able to enjoy their holidays and family.
It still eats at me 23yrs. later

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I better walk before they make me run....

Rusty

At the power plant. Nothing changed for the holidays. But management always took extra days off. We would call them in the middle of dinner just to mess with them. Ask a bunch of stupid questions. Get their permission to do something.

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浪人 - 殺し屋
"The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only"
http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

old guy

Working for the county, if it rained or there was a melt off you knew you were going to work for 24hrs. but you were still going to get time off. Unlike JL’s situation, a planned shut down, the folks ( I’m sure ) we’re making plans

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I better walk before they make me run....

JLarson

Exactly. A lot of people save PTO for planned shutdowns. I also can pretty much guarantee that the only high level people who will be here are myself and the Director of Manufacturing, which is poor long term planning. VP's don't understand the need to work in the trenches if they're going to ask sacrifices of their staff.

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2014 370z Touring Sport Magma Red MT // BP Single Turbo 6467 // 63mm TB's // Z1 Ported Upper Mani // RJM Pedal // Zspeed Stage 3 Clutch // 526 WHP, 451 WTQ
2006 350z (Sold) // 1990 300zx (Sold) // 1985 300zx 2+2 (Sold)

Rusty

I'z up.

It's foggy with frost.

Nice combination.

Sitting in the Jeep dealership. Had to take the Grand Cherokee in. The CEL is on and the check gas cap light is on. Both related. Plus the sunroof is acting up.

__________________

浪人 - 殺し屋
"The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only"
http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html