This is the time of year that I select my Manager of the Year.  It was very easy this year.  In years past, I have struggled when numerous finalists were deserving and I couldn’t make a clear choice.  At times, this resulted in a tie and co-managers of the year.  At other times, this resulted in a winner and one or more runners-up.  This year, my choice came months ago.

I have been associated with Ziker Cleaners in South Bend, IN for a dozen years.  In 2005, current General Manager John Mertes was named the Tailwind Systems Manager of the Year.  This year, his protégé, Shayne Golden is the obvious choice for the Tailwind Systems 2017 Manager of the Year.

Tailwind Systems announces the release of ground-breaking Labor Management Software.  This is the first-ever product of its type and is guaranteed to save you significant dollars on your production labor costs.  FlightPlan for Profits PRO-flex II is unlike anything that you’ve ever seen.  With virtually no effort, you will know your labor cost for every department, your department pieces per labor hour, you will know your cost per piece – daily, FlightPlan for Profits PRO-flex II automatically creates dynamic employee production graphs!  With 3 mouse clicks, you will have a chart that tracks the productivity of any employee  for whom you track pieces (markers, checkers, scanners, pressers, taggers, customer service staff, etc.) for the past 30 days.  All of your records are stored permanently in a database, so all of your records are at your fingertips.  And its called PRO-flex because there are a number of ways to use it.  It’s flexible, adaptable to the way that you run your business!  Are you using barcodes?  Perfect!  PieceCounter© by Wesvic?  Perfect!  This software is so feature-packed that you have to see it to believe it.  Like us on Facebook!  http://www.facebook.com/flightplan4profits

1- Tailwind is not about tags.  Only a fraction of Tailwind clients use the “old-fashioned” tagging and assembly system.  Although there is, indeed, a very popular and well know Tailwind “tagging” system, not all Tailwind Systems users are using tags.  Every plant benefits from the Tailwind System

2- Tailwind is of no use if you are using Barcodes.  FALSE!!!  Plant owners and managers that use bar codes, Metal Progetti, assisted assembly and other high-tech methods are jumping onto the Tailwind bandwagon every day!  Why?  Because Tailwind is a management system that includes the best reporting in the industry, the best management tools and the best management system ever devised.  In fact, by the end of 2017, it is expected that there will be more Tailwind clients using barcodes and automated assembly than the Tailwind Assembly system.  This is because barcode plants are the fastest growing segment of the market and they need to be efficient too!