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MTM Employees Who Are Part of Mazda Toyota History in North Alabama

All About MTM’s Cross Check

By Brittany F.

What is Cross Check?

Cross Check is an activity where two team members, who run the same process from each shift, come together to discuss their difficulties and figure out ways to improve their process. But in MTM’s Assembly shop, Cross Check is so much more.

Cross Check’s Goals

MTM’s Manufacturing Excellence Department (MED) had a goal to create a Cross Check program that was not a “copy and paste” of another NAMC program but instead designed to serve MTM’s unique needs best. Our Senior Vice President David Fernandes challenged the team to launch Cross Check in Assembly by September 2024. As someone who thrives on challenges, I accepted.

We benchmarked strategies with other facilities that have well-established Cross Check activities and brought those learnings back to MTM.

The most important goals to achieve with our Assembly Cross Check program was to address team members’ happiness and understanding of their role within MTM. To accomplish this, we focus on teaching standardized work and how each team member’s job affects the team. We want them to feel empowered to use their voice to create better processes for everyone.

Brittany F.

Cross Check in Action

Group Leader Melissa Kirkpatrick is leading the Cross Check team with great energy, a deep understanding of Assembly Production, and the ability to motivate those going through Cross Check. Melissa added that Mendomi-touch (treating each other like family) by developing Cross Check t-shirts and certificates for completion of the program for our team members.

Together, we are making Cross Check a valuable part of MTM’s culture!

Collaboration plays a major role in the success of Assembly Cross Check. Melissa and I worked together and utilized the 4 Es: Educate, Engage, Empower, and Encourage.

Starting with Educate, we take two weeks to educate team members on all aspects of the plant. We achieve this through tours of other shops and on-the-floor training, such as reviewing FMDS boards.

This leads into Engage, ensuring we educate our team in engaging and fun ways. We play games that reinforce learning and understanding the importance of building a foundation, as well as embodying MTM’s Core Values: Motivate, Appreciate, Relate, Collaborate, and Innovate, both in and outside the workplace.

The third E is Empower, giving team members a path to ensure their voices are heard. We want to equip them with tools to uncover the opportunities in their process or understand how to request needed changes.

Our last E is Encourage, and it is all about continuing the excellent work that they have implemented. MTM Leadership comes alongside us to encourage our team members to keep to the standards and offer support when they need help.