United Technologies Corporation Fire & Security: Field Operations (a)

Abstract

Appropriate for courses in operations strategy and general management. Some 400 Fire & Security branches are given the opportunity for improvement. Executives call for the design and deployment of a global initiative aimed at the cost-overrun issues. But how much emphasis should be placed on grass-roots, branch-level continuous improvement of the bidding and installation processes, and how much direction and implementation should be driven by division staff? Students will explore the possible cost drivers for the cost-over-runs and discuss possible root causes. Corrective actions and mistake-proofing recommendations are developed for the executives. A teaching note (OM-1422TN) is available. Excerpt UVA-OM-1422 Rev. Oct. 31, 2011 UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION FIRE & SECURITY: FIELD OPERATIONS (A) UTC Fire & Security UTC Fire & Security, one of the business units of United Technologies Corporation (UTC), was a global leader in the fire safety and security solutions industry. The company was formed in 2003 and had grown through the acquisition of 58 companies. In 2009, it earned $ 5.5 billion in revenues, with more than 60% of its revenues coming from the service and installation side of its business. . . .