The APS Training Center at our facility at Suolahti, in Finland

New training space for production work

The APS Training Center, built in the assembly plant, supports the orientation of new employees. Even those who have been working for a longer period of time can practice using new tools, for example, in a relaxed environment.

Riina Nygrén

Monday, January 20, 2025

PHOTO Tero Pennanen (left) performs front valve sub-assembly in the final test area.

Raghavan Rao and Antti Perttula assess with a keen eye.

?

In recent years, the assembly plant has lacked a quiet space where new employees could be familiarized with the work at the plant. The new APS Training Center meets this need. The APS acronym refers to AGCO's way of organizing the way production is done (AGCO Production System).

The main drivers for setting up the new training facility are safety and quality, says Tero Pennanen, APS team leader.

"People from many different backgrounds come to work at the plant, so good orientation is important. The facility will help team leaders, supervisors, and frontline workers to familiarize new employees with the most important principles and ensure safety at work."

?

?

A quiet space for training

The materials in the training room go over safety issues, rules and production standards for moving around the factory and doing the job. At the same time, the concepts and acronyms used in everyday factory life, such as lean, waste and 6S, are introduced.?

After the theory and systems are explained, practical training is given, for example in the use of torque wrenches or the handling of heavy objects with a lifting tool. Finally, there is a "final test", where the instructor will accompany you and help you if necessary.

The aim is to get the same skills for everyone, regardless of their background," says Antti Perttula, ME&APS Manager.

"The training centre is a great contribution and we are very proud of it! The facility is also suitable for training existing employees when components or tools change. Unlike a rush line, here you can take your time to get to know things."?

?

?

Support for quality manufacturing

The facility is not the first of its kind at Valtra. The previous training facility had to give way to a new paint shop.

Other brands and larger units also have similar facilities, says Raghavan Rao, APS manager at AGCO. He is involved in the development of Valtra's APS systems.

Mr Rao praises the training area and points out that along with safety, quality of work is also an important focus.?

"With good orientation, employees learn how to use the tools and understand the quality indicators. It's good that new installers are not put straight on the line, but can practice their work offline first. Line work is demanding and you only understand it when you do it yourself," says Rao.

Production Manager Tiina Herlevi also points out that comprehensive quality development is extremely important for Valtra's future competitiveness.?

"I am very happy and proud of the training centre built by the APS team, which will finally allow us to provide our employees with proper training facilities. Reducing quality defects is the biggest lever for improving customer satisfaction and productivity and I look forward to seeing positive results once the training facility is operational."

?

?

?

?

Translated with DeepL.com (f