Paul W. Critchley saw the power of lean as a plant manager at a growing medical device company. As the orders increased, every day the two-person shipping department struggled to make deadlines, getting in at 6:30 a.m. and rushing all day in order to make the UPS truck deadline at 5 p.m.

The recent implementation of the new quality management system requirements has generated concerns about many issues including documents and standards. 

Last month’s column focused on statisticians and their need to transition to leaders. In order to do so, one must understand the difference between managing work/projects and leading others.

Picture a plant that requires inspectors, a team of rework staff, and a large area devoted to parts that need rework.

The question of where to focus to maximize effectiveness is a conundrum.

For improvement to occur, problems must be solved. Errors must be fixed. Systems must be more efficient.

Winona PVD Coatings takes quality so seriously that out of the almost 1.5 million wheels shipped in the past ten years, the company has seen the number of returns in the single digits. 

Choosing the best measuring device for any application requires you to answer some basic questions to sort out your options before looking at the hardware. 

In manufacturing, quality is frequently synonymous with product quality. Continuous improvement projects and initiatives tend to aim to reduce waste and defects.