SAN DIEGO, CA---Quality Controlled Manufacturing Inc. (QCMI) was awarded the United Technologies Corporation (UTC) Supplier Gold award. QCMI is the only complex machining company in the continental United States to achieve UTC Supplier Gold over two consecutive years. Using stringent criteria, the program acknowledges a supplier for their exceptional performance over at least 12 consecutive months.

The UTC Supplier Gold process is a method for aligning and linking the entire value stream around customer-focused metrics. One of the key benefits of the process is the facilitation and acceleration of performance improvements. The rigorous criteria address the applicant's quality, delivery, lean practices and customer satisfaction. Participation is voluntary and nominations for the Supplier Gold assessment process must come from UTC divisions or the corporate office.

The Hamilton Sundstrand supply chain management team re-nominated the San Diego California-based manufacturer for the Supplier Gold recertification process. Upon UTC's acceptance of the nomination, QCMI documented performance levels over a 12-month time period. Performance excellence was determined through supplier excellence criteria (quality and delivery), market feedback analysis, lean assessment and an on-site validation visit by the supplier gold team.

The standalone initiative required QCMI to actively utilize quality and lean tools. The following assessments were included: certified quality clinic system; relentless root cause analysis and corrective action (RRCA); process certification; standardized work processes; set up reduction; value stream mapping; continuous improvement; 5S (sort, set-in-order, shine, standardize, sustain) methodologies; and total production maintenance.

In the category of supplier excellence/quality, QCMI reported zero escapes (or customer returns) over 12 months. And, for superior excellence/customer defined delivery, QCMI reported Best in Class at 99.4% (2009 and 2010). Out of a possible 500 score for UTC manufacturing operations' lean assessment category, QCMI scored 440, with 350 the qualifying target. In addition, QCMI achieved a six out of seven in the "ease of doing business" market feedback analysis category.