QUALITY CONTROL

INTRODUCTION Purpose Of A Quality Control Program Discrepancies In The Current Quality Control Program Recommendations For Improvement

PURPOSE OF QUALITY CONTROL Ensure the delivery of a high-quality product Customer satisfaction Low volume of repairs Increase sales

DISCREPANCIES Performance –Acceleration –Fuel Economy –Ride Quality –Steer/Handling –Breaking

DISCREPANCIES Appearance –Paint Quality –Condition upon delivery –Interior Quality Upholstery Fixtures Accessory Functions

DISCREPANCIES Safety –Seat Belts –Air Bags –Crash Test

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR QC IMPROVEMENT Provide resources and funding for quality control activities Train Quality Control Team Members QC Team periodically report discrepancies to management group Determine cost and schedule of quality control testing Review quality control documented problems with senior management on a periodic basis Have experts independent of the Quality Control Team periodically observe the testing and final released product

SUMMARY Good Quality Control will: –Save the company money –Increase sales and customer satisfaction –Decrease the volume of repairs

REFERENCES CONSUMER GUIDE - April 2000 Stephen M. Voltz’s Cost Control Resource Center (Website Automotive Industries April 1998 Automotive Manufacturing & Production Magazine - April 1999 Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Assurance Plan, Air Chek, Inc. December 1998

Communication Issues

In order to repair a problem you must first know what the problem is. I conducted a standard employee survey designed towards communication problems in manufacturing companies. This allows me to: Measure the results of the survey Develop a baseline or a reference point Assess damage Make recommendations for repair SUMMARY

27% Feel management doesn’t care. 27% feel there is no ways to make improvements. 13% Fear being labeled as troublemakers. 5% Fear being punished or fired for expressing their ideas. EMPLOYEES DO NOT SPEAK THEIR MINDS

EMPLOYEES FEEL NO ONE CARES How employees rated management: 10% Of the managers encourage employee suggestions 13% Of the managers actively seek employee opinions or suggestions 15% Of the managers encourage employee involvement

HOW DO COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS AFFECT THE BOTTOM LINE? Safety - Employee does not report safety hazards in fear of being labeled a troublemaker. –Example: Armoral on production floor. Injuries $$$$ Quality - Employee does not report non - conformances, they do not want to rock the boat. –Example: Defective gas gauge its actually empty when it reads ¼ tank. Recall $$$$ Productivity - Employee does not feel empowered to suggest new ideas. –Example: Employee knows of a new tool that would cut the production time in half.

WHAT CAN BE DONE? Educate - Training in effective meetings, self-improvement and motivation workshops, and decision-making skills. Empower - Let the employee know that they can make a difference. Challenge them to make a difference. Example: Project make your own procedures Encourage - Idea’s, team play, and higher education. Create - Create team projects - Let the employees create new ideas.