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EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER

WE SAVE LIVES

A Leader in Mobility Safety

Machinery and Equipment

This Month we will be focusing on programs that

highlight the critical role equipment plays in our

work environment.

Mostly we focus on the nature of machines as the

way we get work done, when the machines stop,

work stops, our production is stopped, and unplanned

“breakdowns” demand the attention of our resources

to get up and running again. But there is so much

more involved with the topic of equipment. Is it

safe to operate? Is it making good quality parts? Is it

performing to the environmental and energy

parameters set for it? We are fortunate that much of

our machinery today is self-diagnosing or even self-

correcting in many aspects. We do, however, need to

remain vigilant, particularly after machine downtime

to make sure the equipment is totally safe to operate

and capable of producing parts within the designated

quality specifications.

Operation of manufacturing equipment in this factory

is important. It is a team responsibility to clean it,

monitor it, and maintain it. Through our production

“TPM” programs and our maintenance “Equipment

Ownership” programs we will develop world class

approaches to keeping our machinery in top notch

operating order. With a network of specialists and

documentation of best practices for operation we will

learn and build on our knowledge base.

We have made good progress in our efforts to expand

5s and improve the presentation of the facility. Please

keep up the good work and embrace our equipment

focus in the same enthusiasm.

Mike James

KSS Plant Manager

Equipment Ownership

As we continue into the new year, we aim to

think bigger, challenge complacency, and

continuously improve every aspect of our

business. The Equipment Ownership Program

means taking responsibility and pride in your

area and equipment. By taking ownership you

have taken on the task of keeping it clean and

functioning to the best of its ability. This

program teaches individuals to invest their time

and energy into improving and maintaining a

small part of a bigger picture. By doing so, one

begins to value each step of the process and

contribute their efforts to overall plant success.

Here are some important things to know as you

learn more about the Equipment Ownership

Program:

Eliminate unscheduled downtime and product

quality issues created by running equipment out

of specifications, providing predictable output

and stable quality.

When everyone follows standard work, wasteful

down time and constant fire fighting will be

eliminated.

A successful TPM/Equipment Ownership

Program relies on TEAM WORK from

everyone.

Lean manufacturing is the relentless pursuit of

eliminating waste in every process and

procedure.

5s is the first major building block for

continuous improvement.

Equipment Ownership; as part of our Total

Preventative Maintenance program, it is

designed to ensure each piece of equipment

meets or exceeds its original specification.

Knoxville, TN– March 2017

Editor: Mitzi McCammon

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March 2017

Ribbon Loom Expansion

Recently Joe Davis and Dr. Ma collaborated to

come up with a more efficient solution to

produce fabric ribbon at an improved cost.

Through their teamwork and collaboration, Dr.

Ma was able to design something to enhance the

6 head loom machines and ultimately better suit

the needs of KSS and its customers. We were

able to purchase these machines at a fraction of

the cost compared to our previous way of

producing. In fact, the concept was so effective

that KSS has decided to purchase 6 more Ribbon

Looms! Please see page 3 for full diagram and

objectives.

Left to right: Joe Davis, Tim Hunt, Dr. Xiaofeng Ma

Think Big - Take Risks

The take off unit allows us to produce ribbon directly into boxes that are ready to ship to our customers rather

than on spools. This has proved to be more effective and efficient for the product we are producing and

consumers we are providing for. This new design provides flexible packaging to better meet our customer needs.

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6 Head Loom Expansion Update

We have purchased 6 additional Ribbon Looms from DKY. These looms are 6-head looms and will produce

7.5 million yards annually. This project is substantially more cost effective in comparison to the current

process of producing the wide fabric on a Picanol Loom and Juarez laser cutting it into 1” ribbons. We have

been running our 1 DKY Loom for 4 months with almost 100% uptime. The new looms will arrive in March

and we plan to be running production by mid-April. This also allows ~ 2 Picanol looms to change to other

fabric and further support for the growing demand for flat fabric. KSS is excited to welcome this product and

begin achieving new objectives set forth for our company!

If you have any questions about the addition of these machines please see Ross Smelser.

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2016 Environmental News

We implemented a number of green initiatives in

2016. Some of the more prominent ones are listed

below:

1) Installation of the new steam generator – The new

steam generator reduces the use of nature gas and

provides a more efficient source of steam verses

the old boiler system used in the past. Steam is

required for both the Slasher operation, heating the

drying cans, and for the Finishing Range, heating

up the wash tanks. Estimates are the steam

generator will reduce gas usage by about 35%-

40%. Focus on results and build long term

success!

2) Elimination of MEK chemical for Finishing Range

bar code cleaning – Robert Collins worked with

Textiles Management and Engineering to find an

alternative chemical to use for the Finishing

Range bar code cleaning process. The new

chemicals provide a more environmentally

friendly alternative to MEK. Be empowered and

deliver on commitments.

3) Energy Management Team – a cross functional

team was created in 2016 to review our energy

usage (electricity, natural gas, water and

wastewater) and look for ways to reduce our

energy consumption. The core team members are

Mike James, Plant Manager, DJ Neil, Facility

Manager, Ross Smelser, Engineering Manager,

Shannon Harris, HS&E Specialist, Robert

Lafollette, Maintenance Team Lead, Doug

McNamara, Assistant Controller, and Mitzi

McCammon, Human Resource Manager. We look

forward to the contributions this team can

implement in 2017! Please let anyone on the team

know of suggestions for reducing our utility usage.

Win as ONE team!

Some of the projected green initiatives for 2017 show

great promise in continuing our environmental

improvements as a Company.

Some of the initial items we are implementing are:

1) Actions to improve recycling and reduce trash sent

to the landfill – Some of you may have noticed

work at the textile’s dock recently on the old trash

compactor. We will be moving to a new trash

vendor who will sort through all trash and pull our

anything that can be recycled prior to sending to

the landfill. This should drastically reduce our

landfill quantities and improve our recycling

numbers for CY 2017. We hope to have the new

compactor operational by the end of March!

Charts detailing our 2016 recycling numbers are

included on the following page. Challenge

complacency and embrace change.

We want to thank everyone for their efforts to meet

our environmental objectives. We will soon have new

environmental objectives set for 2017 and will

communicate those to everyone sometime in the next

few weeks. If you have any suggestions to improving

our environmental or safety initiatives, please see

either Shannon Harris or Mitzi McCammon.

Our ISO audit is tentatively scheduled for April 13th

and 14th. However, we are hoping to change those

dates due to the Good Friday holiday on April 14th.

We will keep you updated on the finalized date.

March 2017

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March 2017

KSS February Anniversaries

Paula Smith

Assembly General

28 Years

Betty Poole

Assembly General

24 Years

Diane Riden

Assembly General

24 Years

Lynnette Reed

Assembly General

24 Years

Jennifer Flores

Shopper

3 Years

Ingrid Elmore

Assembly General

2 Years

Seth Luedtke—

Maintenance Tech

3 Years

Donald Allen

Shipping/Receiving

24 Years

John Austin

Utility

3 Years

Joyce Luttrell

Quality Tech

29 Years

James Whillock

Loom Tech

24 Years

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Happy Birthday!

David Carter Robin Hatcher Heather Burke

Sebahate Dauti

Shinae Wampler Rodney Hensley

Leanne Webb

Samantha Hardwick Perry McKee Julie Shaw

Lakeia Wells

Scott Killebrew Bradford Beckam

Alice Sanders

Jerry Strickland

Mira Kim Lynnette Reed

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March 2017

5s - Employee Spotlight– Win as One Team

Keleigh Garret has been with us for 2 years. She does a great job keeping her weaving zone clean. She is

seen sweeping and mopping her zone frequently. She makes sure that the scrap yarn is in the garbage can and

not hanging out everywhere to prevent trip hazards. She is a wonderful example to follow and we appreciate

all that she does to better KSS Knoxville. Keep up the good work, Keleigh!

Sara King began working with us in 2014. She is an extremely hard worker that will go out of her way to

help any individual. Sara is currently the 5S Area Champion in two areas of the plant, the forklift charging

area and packaging. Her drive to always work hard and be involved is a great asset to 5S and Key Safety

Systems. We can always count on her to get the job done and have a positive attitude while doing so! We

appreciate all that you do, Sara!

Keleigh Garret

Textiles General

Sara King

Utility

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March 2017

5s– Open Areas

What does it mean to be a 5s Area Champion? Being a

5s Champion means that you are “responsible” for the

5s score for the area. It is your job to drive the culture

change to support outstanding 5s practices. This

program encourages ownership and willingness to

learn, grow, and lead those around you in order to

make Key Safety Systems a better work environment

for all. Please see the list below for areas that are in

need of a 5s Area Champion. If you are interested in

getting involved and bettering your workplaces, please

contact Marci Lubs, Betty Spedowski, or Caroline

Testerman.

Get Connected - Stay Connected

In addition to the Facebook and Twitter page, KSS has

also welcomed a blog! What is a blog you might ask?

A blog is a regularly updated website or web page,

typically one run by an individual or small group, that

is written in an informal or conversational style. Our

blog allows us to keep all Employee Newsletters in

one place easily assessable for YOU! Other

information, photos, and upcoming events will also be

presented on the blog. We are excited to present new

ways in which we can interact with employees and

receive feedback. You can access Key Safety Systems

Knoxville blog at:

https://kssemployeenewsletter.wordpress.com/

5s Quiz Winner:

Chong Shindledecker

LIKE our Facebook page or FOLLOW us

on Twitter for a chance to WIN!

Those who have already liked our Facebook page OR followed our

Twitter page will also be entered for a chance to win!

Facebook: @KeySafetySystemsKnox

Twitter: @KSS_Knox

Lambda LH OPEN

LF PAB OPEN

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March 2017

Job Bid / Shift Bid Awards

Bo Harrell has been awarded a shift bid from second to first shift. Congratulations!

Bo Harrell

Textiles General

Brandon Phillips

Assembly General

New Hires

Welcome to KSS!

Andrew Cornelius

Textiles General Austin Brumitte

Loom Tech

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March 2017

Be transparent and confront facts

Focus on results and build long term success

Be empowered and deliver on commitments

Win as one team

Challenge complacency and embrace change

Think big, take risks, and learn from mistakes

Key Safety Systems Knoxville

Core Values

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“When a flower does not bloom

you fix the environment in

which it grows, not the flower”