Planning for Total Powertrain Technology Improvement Utilizing TQ Systems: The Quality Challenge Facing European Companies

摘要

Although the beginnings of the quality management movement can be traced easily to the work of Dr. W. Edwards Deming and Dr. Joseph Juran, Japanese theorists have clearly advanced the science of quality engineering to new heights. The recent activity of Japanese-owned factories world-wide offers a unique opportunity for managers to become even more motivated toward offering a state-of-the-art level of quality assurance and on-time delivery. At the same time, the presence of the Japanese companies in the local marketplace requires new adjustments on the part of component suppliers in an already complex situation. While domestic companies have the opportunity to compete with the new neighbors in their own backyard, many cannot meet the high quality and delivery standards expected by modern OEM customers. These quality and delivery standards are quickly spreading world-wide as all Western companies compete directly with the Asian, South American and Third World companies for survival. Because of several global dynamics (the "scare" of lost markets, the Third World "hunger" for exporting, and increased bloc cooperation), engineering-based suppliers are in danger of falling seriously behind in seeking their share of the multi-billion dollar engine component market. The decision to become a leader in the challenge to improve the quality of products and services rests with the owners of every company. The decision to become a leader in the engineering-based approach to total quality, statistical control of processes for production and service delivery, the planning of quality improvement on a continual process basis, and the creation of an efficient problem-solving culture rests with the President and CEO of every company. The decision to become a leader in cooperative self-interest through participation in the continual quality improvement programs rests similarly with every union leader, politician and plant manager. The question is: "Will European companies face the challenge to improve the quality of products and services?" The answer can be yes only if each person in the above categories agrees to make the decision to become a leader in this effort. Each person who makes the decision must therefore become informed about the details of quality assurance systems, customer satisfaction, and just-in-time delivery to the extent that he can teach and facilitate the programs which follow in each company.