Kirby-Smith Machinery has recognized outstanding parts and service personnel with its annual Guild Awards. The company established the Parts & Service Guild in 2004 when its management team recognized the challenges created by the complexity of the equipment it was servicing.
Each parts person or service technician must qualify for enrollment by passing an entrance exam. Once enrolled, members are required to attend 40 hours or more of technical training each year, and take quarterly tests based on recent manufacturer’s product bulletins and technical manuals. Each quarter that participants achieve a perfect score on the quarterly test, they receive their choice of a cash bonus, savings bond or a voucher for tools. At the end of the year, Guild members who achieved a perfect score on all four quarterly tests are invited to an annual recognition dinner and receive an additional award.
The guild Excellence Program Award is given to the top three individuals, company-wide, in the construction and crane categories.
“It’s a win, win, win program,” said Glen Townsend, vice president and general manager. “The customer wins through increased knowledge and expertise in repair and maintenance of his equipment, which translates to ‘fixed right the first time.’ Ultimately this leads to lower operating costs, increased productivity and profitability for the customer.’ The Guild member wins through increased knowledge in his area of expertise and monetary rewards for that knowledge. Kirby-Smith wins through increased customer and employee satisfaction.”
This year’s Guild Excellence Awards were presented to, in the crane category:
- First place: Ronnie Morgan, Oklahoma City parts department
- Second place: Gary Cox, OKC parts department
- Third place: David Harris, OKC parts department.
In the construction category:
- First place: Brian Devore, Tulsa service department
- Second place: Ron Hagood, OKC service department
- Third place: Bob Weaver, OKC parts department.
Kirby-Smith has 10 branches in Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri. The company is a major rental player, No. 39 on the RER 100.
