An international railcar lessor needed faster, cheaper maintenance as demand rose and strict federal rules lengthened service times.

Higher demand and federally mandated procedures had increased the time to service each tank car, hopper and flatbed.

• Prototyped employee-suggested improvements to material availability and flow before repairs
• Prepared car files before the inbound date and improved cleaning, inspection and estimating
• Built an MOS with area performance boards, daily shift reviews and root-cause action items

Three follow-on engagements rolled the practices out to other service centers.