MRO Today - Demsey is no clock-puncher

Demsey is no clock-puncher

by Paul V. Arnold

Tim Demsey considers himself "your average Joe on the assembly line."

For the past five years, he's been a production worker at the Toyota Motor Corporation manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Ky., installing front axles in Camry wagons and assembling rear doors for Camry and Sienna models.

The 31-year-old native of Toledo, Ohio, says working at the company, and its frequently benchmarked plant, has opened his eyes to "what it takes to be No. 1."

"I've learned that you need to pay attention to the details, to think like a technician," says Demsey, MRO Today magazine's MRO Pro for August/September. "When you look deeper, you find a better way."

Demsey has used that training for suggestion-box ideas on plant safety. He's also been on kaizen improvement teams that have pinpointed production inefficiencies.

"As an employee, you see that there are opportunities to contribute. It really is empowerment," he says. "You can make people's jobs easier and safer. Everyone does their share."

But what makes Demsey truly unique is how he's applied the Toyota mentality to his hobby.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is one of the country's top Toughman Contest fighters. Demsey, who competes under the ring name "Death Row," has a 12-0 career record with eight knockouts in the heavyweight division.

"It may sound corny, but it all comes back to attention to detail," he says. "When I'm involved in a tournament, I'll sit there and study a guy when he's fighting, just in case I need to fight him later. I'll take note of his weaknesses and strengths, and try to exploit the weaknesses."

Again, trying to find a better way. In one fight, the solution may be the right cross. In the next, it may be the uppercut or left hook.

A Toughman Contest plays out like an amateur boxing tournament. Contestants wear headgear, groin protection and 16-ounce gloves to battle an opponent in three, one-minute rounds. First-night winners return for as many as three bouts on championship night.

"It's kind of like a sanctioned brawl," he says. "You have fighters -- I boxed for a few years in the Navy -- and you have beer brawlers, guys who've beat up little guys their whole life and never had a sanctioned fight."

Considering the immense range in his weight class (185 to 400 pounds), Demsey frequently must stand up to big bullies.

"The biggest guy I've faced was 6-7 and 320 pounds," he says.

Demsey won the bout on his way to earning one of 16 spots for the 2000 Toughman national tournament. A dislocated shoulder kept him from competing for the $50,000 grand prize.

Local and regional tournaments offer little prize money. Combine that with the constant possibility of being injured or knocked senseless and you have to wonder. Why would a guy with a decent job at a top-notch company do this?

"Some people play in basketball or softball leagues. I do this," he says. "It's something I enjoy doing."

This article appeared in the August/September 2000 issue of MRO Today magazine. Copyright, 2000.