Dental News - Hu-Friedy creates manufacturing apprentice program

Dental Tribune USA

Mon. 11 August 2014

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CHICAGO, Ill., USA: Hu-Friedy has developed and launched a two-year apprentice program to allow select employees to master the skills needed to become instrument makers. Hu-Friedy created the apprentice program to ensure the longevity and continued success of the company by forming of a new generation of instrument makers trained by a core group of Hu-Friedy instrument makers with decades of experience hand crafting instruments.

From a pool of applicants of existing Hu-Friedy employees, four apprentices were selected to participate in the pilot program that began this summer.

Hu-Friedy employs more than 300 artisans, manufacturing employees who have honed their skills, sometimes over several decades, in one or two manufacturing processes or a particular product line, such as instrument finishing or ortho. To be considered a true instrument maker requires mastering all aspects of the manufacturing process from start to finish, essentially transforming a piece of steel into a high quality, durable and ergonomic instrument.

For two years, the apprentices continue to receive full pay and benefits while learning the art of dental instrument making, instead of working on the manufacturing line. The apprentices will be trained in 20 different development areas, from metal composition, heat-treating and computer laser skills, to learning the fine filing and hands-on skills needed for the manufacturing of dental instruments.

“Hu-Friedy has been in business for more than 100 years — and we plan to be here for many more. We believe that investing in this type of training will allow us to continue to offer the highest quality instruments and advance our manufacturing processes by ensuring we have the instrument experts to help us do this,” said Claude Brown, Hu-Friedy senior vice president, global operations. “We cannot find the specific talent of instrument maker in the market. With the apprentice program, we’re trying to compress the learning process for a handful of employees and develop them into true instrument makers capable of impacting the company’s future products and production techniques.”

Ken Serota, president, added, “Our new product philosophy requires that what we bring to market truly makes a difference in the lives of dental practitioners. Our next generation of instrument makers will build upon our existing expertise and bring new perspectives to help drive this innovation.”

Just as Hu-Friedy is committed to offering the highest quality products for its customers, the company is passionate about developing its employees. Through this innovative training program, the apprentices gain valuable knowledge beyond the specifics of Hu-Friedy products. One aspect of an early part of the program included a visit to a steel mill — the source of the materials with which they will work. By modernizing the apprenticeship program to include fundamentals as well as high tech aspects of manufacturing, Hu-Friedy is offering comprehensive training to its employees, while transferring these crucial skills from one generation to the next to maintain their position as a leader in the dental industy.

(Source: Hu-Friedy)

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