Guardian Industries – “Has good potential but too much politics with management for a quality career.”

Pros

Company has a tradition of autonomy and self-direction in the workplace. Some needed and positive centralization taking place from a corporate level to bring more stability between the plants. Large, global company with several divisions giving it sound stability in difficult economic times.

Cons

Some plants (especially the one in Corsicana, TX) have problems in the management levels that include lack of competence, lack of forward thinking, fragmentation and cliques. Much of the failure of managers is due to extreme politics, "nesting" on titles and constant finger pointing/excuse making. There is also a very bad tendency for managers to blame subordinates rather than seeking solutions at the floor with subordinates. The Corsicana plant was ALWAYS playing blame games and daily firefighting or being reactionary. Hope improvement comes and establishes a positive atmosphere for the workers there.

Advice to Senior Management

Better corporate control and structuring. Recognize the politicians in manager circles and fire them. Fire managers who undermine progress out of political motives. Managers need to have more desire to learn and pass on knowledge. Stop blaming subordinates and get to the floor for solutions with those people. Need better structure for training and development. Enforce continuous improvement and expect top managers to be honest, educated leaders in this effort. As it stands now, managers give lip service to change for a day just to sound politically correct but never strive to understand, teach and implement the principles as a long term solution.