Business Writing

Rob Weber is a self-described “frugal guy,” so he noticed a small savings in a small bottle right away.

Rob is a hybrid technician and prototype machinist. He uses a 4 oz. plastic bottle to collect oil samples from the test units and machinery at his job. Recently, when getting bottles from the stock area, he noticed the supplier refilling the area had very similar bottles with him.

Rob asked what the difference between the bottles were. He learned they were basically the same except for a different cap and the price. The current bottle cost $2.50, while the other cost $0.43.

He brought it forward to the cost savings team for the site, which approved the change.

At a savings of over $2 per bottle, that could save up to $2,000 per month at just the one facility.

“I was just at the right place at the right time,” says Rob. He seems surprised by the attention this one little change has generated, including a mention by a senior vice president at a recent all-people meeting.

Rob said that his work team generates lots of ideas that go through the cost saving team, which to date has saved the company over $1 million.

He credits his thriftiness to his parents. They migrated from East Germany in 1962, first to Canada, and then to the United States. His father had a machine shop that Rob began working in when he was 12 years old.

“Looking for ways to save money comes naturally to me, that was the way I was raised,” says Rob.

Tom Williams, CFO, heard the bottle story during a recent visit to the facility. “It’s a great example of design to cost, and strategic sourcing,” says Tom. “It was a clear demonstration of what can be done when we create a culture of empowerment, continuous improvement and cost reduction.”