As we continue to grow our business, we sometimes come across systems that may be outdated and no longer suit the direction we are trying to head. As our Supplier Quality team learned around 2015, our parts quality program was nearly 20 years old and in desperate need of remodeling.
After over a year of planning and revision, Senior Supplier Quality Engineer Todd Hansen and his team are ready to introduce an improved parts qualification system by June 1. Because the new system involves an increase in product quality standards, the system will benefit our products in terms of quality documentation, dimensional accuracy and time of arrival, which advances production efficiency and relations with our global suppliers, according to Todd.
“With our current process, it’s very antiquated,” says Todd. “While the previous system wasn’t always effective, the new system is designed to work better and more consistently.”
Through the help of a cross-functional team involving employees from our Technology, Sourcing Supplier Quality and Supply Chain departments, Todd says his team is determined to create a new system that is balanced and serves all involved equally.
“This was definitely a team effort,” says Todd. “The more we can globalize the system, the greater connectivity we can achieve.”
In order to raise awareness and ensure that our partners and employees understand the improved system, Todd says a variety of training programs will soon be underway, including programs in our Training Center and also in Asia.
As improved operational excellence is one of our 2018 Hoshin goals, this revised parts qualification system is a great step toward progress and achieving our set objectives.
This article was originally published on GE Appliance's internal employee network.
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