Alabama STRONG
Spring 2021 Collaborative Internship
Connecting University and Community College Students With Industry
The Alabama Productivity Center and Shelton State Community College collaborated to support the ARC Alabama STRONG Internship Program during the Spring 2021 semester.
The pilot program placed two students from each institution with Alabama automotive manufacturers. The internships were designed to provide work-based learning experiences that complemented each student’s academic training while also giving them the opportunity to collaborate with students from different institutions and disciplines.
The participating companies were Samvardhana Motherson Peguform, also known as SMP Automotive, and International Automotive Components Group. Both companies assigned the interns continuous improvement projects that supported operational goals.
Student Teams
Four Students, Two Institutions, Two Companies
The internship began on January 11, 2021, with two students from Shelton State Community College and two students from The University of Alabama.
Jonah Williams
Shelton State Community College
Industrial Electronics and Electrical Technology
Assigned to IAC Group
Jordan Cash
Shelton State Community College
Machine Tool Technology
Assigned to SMP Automotive
Britt Ryan
The University of Alabama
Mechanical Engineering
Assigned to IAC Group
Spencer Martin
The University of Alabama
Master’s in Mechanical Engineering
Assigned to SMP Automotive
IAC Group Project
Improving Robotic Operations on the FlexLine
Jonah Williams and Britt Ryan worked with IAC Group to improve the timing of robotic operations on the FlexLine, where automotive door panels are produced.
After conducting time studies and monitoring the line, the interns determined that the primary bottleneck occurred during the welding process, specifically at the first weld station.
Jonah and Britt reprogrammed several welding points and helped rebalance the production line. These changes resulted in an estimated cost savings of $320,141.
SMP Automotive Project
Developing Standard Work and Tooling Improvements
Jordan Cash and Spencer Martin were assigned process improvement work in the SMP tooling department.
The interns developed standard work for cleaning and repairing tooling used in injection molds. Using SolidWorks, they also designed handles, magnetic tool tips, and mill stops for use in production and the tool shop.
Their work produced at least $60,000 in avoided safety costs and reduced overtime costs by $57,242.
Collaborative Learning
Learning Across Institutions and Disciplines
The program gave the interns an opportunity to combine different technical backgrounds and share knowledge with their teammates. Students gained hands-on experience with robotics, manufacturing systems, time studies, tooling, SolidWorks, and continuous improvement.
The collaboration also demonstrated how universities, community colleges, and manufacturers can work together to create valuable workforce-development experiences.
Measurable Results
Financial Impact
$320,141
IAC Cost Savings
$60,000+
Avoided Safety Costs
$57,242
Overtime Reduction
$437,383+
Combined Financial Impact
Program Success
A Model for Future Collaborative Internships
The pilot program was successful for the students, participating companies, and educational institutions. SMP Automotive and IAC management expressed interest in participating in similar internships in the future.
The interns enjoyed sharing their skills and learning from their teammates, and APC began discussions with the Alabama Community College System about expanding this type of collaboration into other areas.
Explore More APC Success Stories
Learn how APC connects students, educational institutions, and Alabama manufacturers through applied internship projects.
