Union Pacific’s De Soto Car Shop is used to tackling big projects, but it recently faced its most challenging rebuild to date – its culture. Today, the shop is home to one of the railroad’s most admired turnarounds and the recipient of the Steel Wheel Award.
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This award, which recognizes Union Pacific’s top-performing Mechanical shop for delivering the best in Safety, Service and Operational Excellence, was one of nine presented at the railroad’s inaugural CEO Excellence Awards.
In the past two years, the De Soto, Missouri, team has logged more than 800,000 hours injury free, cut rework rates to 1.5% and generated millions in additional revenue.
“We had to be honest with ourselves,” said Damon Campbell, director-System Car Facility. “If we wanted to become the most cost-effective, high-performing shop on the system, it had to start with safety.”
What started as a plan became a movement, driven by employees who decided to own the outcome.
Leaders empowered craft professionals to design solutions, improve processes and take ownership of daily performance. From welders to inspectors, employees began holding each other accountable.
“They’re not muscling through it anymore,” said David Call, manager-Mechanical Maintenance. “They’re asking for help or jumping in to help someone else.”
That cultural shift didn’t just change attitudes, it changed outcomes – turnaround time for fallout repairs is now three-and-a-half times faster than the competition. Fallout repairs involve restoring rejected rail cars so they can be returned to service.
“It takes everybody to get the work done,” said Matt Pashia, welder. “It’s not one person’s job, it’s all of us.”
Once the team saw results, momentum followed.
“It is possible to be safe and do a good job doing it,” said Tyrone Wilkins, manager-Mechanical Maintenance. “We’re proof of that.”
Team members point to leadership and the collective effort across De Soto as the difference maker.
“You can repair all the cars in the world,” said Jarid LaChance, senior manager-System Car Facility. “But if you’re not doing it safely, you’re not the most viable option.”
Steel Wheel Award Recipient: De Soto Car Shop
Union Pacific recognized De Soto Car Shop in Missouri as the railroad’s top-performing Mechanical shop.
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