I think it is true for all kinds of production that we want to produce good quality at low cost, only the definition of good quality and low cost changes. The two endeavors can be completely well handled separately, there is also the fact that quality has a cost, which we include in the price of the product, but there are situations when some quality issues cause a dilemma.
Let's say that we produce a premium branded product, and we instill this in our employees every day, it also flows from the faucet that quality is the key to survival.
If information comes from the packing department, that the vacuum packs set aside for testing took back the air, so they must have a mini hole somewhere, then there is no question that we unpack 25 pallets of goods, put all the packaging material in the bin, and run it all through the packaging line again. Of course after we checked everything that could have punctured the bags and the quality of the goods.
But what if we accidentally printed the wrong lot number on the outer packaging? Should we stick it on? Shall we repack? Shall we let them go out?
- If we let them go, there will be complaints, the stability of the process and the quality will be called into question. This is not allowed.
- Shall we relabel? After all, the material is specifically taken out of the inner packaging, it wouldn't even be noticed... And the material is fine. But the label doesn't exactly cover the print, what if someone finds it anyway? Once again, quality is not a game for a premium product. But the risk is so small…
- Shall we pack again? How much will it cost???Is it worth the risk?
This is the point where it becomes clear how committed we are to quality. And what we might not think of, there is another aspect here: the question of authenticity within the plant.
If we know that there is a problem, even if it is an "insignificant" one, but we let it go or try to cover it up in some sly way, we also send a message to those in whose minds we want to instill quality awareness. What does the worker who listened to the 48th short lecture on ISO 9001 yesterday and then loads the relabelled boxes onto the truck think? How will he decide the next time when he faced with a questionable situation? Will it „be o.k.”, and will he look away, or will he tell an expert to look at it?
And then it's still a relatively simple case compared to hard-to-grasp product problems. But the principle is the same: if we are really committed to quality, this should not be an issue even if it costs money. No other choice, do, what You say You do…
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