Original Date: 07/23/1996
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Nascote uses the Quality Operating System (QOS), a tailored metric and reporting system, throughout every department to track performance, identify problem areas, put action plans into place, set goals, and recognize achievements. Because only fragmented objectives existed prior to this system, the need for improvement was obvious. The QOS highlights key measurables to ensure continuous improvement and identifies problems which may require human resource allocation for solving or reducing the problem. The QOS has become a critical tool for continuous improvement at Nascote Industries.

The QOS is a proven world-class business practice which helps companies determine their baselines and establish goals. It provides a standardized method for each department to establish metrics and collect performance data of programs, equipment, and processes; track the metrics data; identify problem areas; put action plans into place and develop task forces to work on them; set targets and goals; and recognize achievements.

Each department implements its own QOS , from the operations departments of injection molding, painting, and bonding, to the supporting departments of finance, purchasing, and shipping/scheduling. All department personnel can contribute to the QOS and may submit a metric to be collected and monitored. If proven to be an effective indicator of performance, it is entered into the QOS . For example, the Injection Molding Department, a strong implementor of the QOS , has collected data on first run yields and defects for all its products, and on key parameters for associated equipment and processes. Target lines are set and agreed upon by everyone in the department. Real- time tracking and monitoring of the collected data and its relationship with the target has become readily visible on touch screen monitors and paper reports. Concerns (problem areas) and improvements are given attention by completing a Concern Resolution Report form. This form is the action tool for addressing concerns or making improvements that lead to achieving the proposed targets. The form describes the concern or improvement, the potential root cause, prevention measures, action team leader and team members, status, and results. QOS reports are structured for monthly, weekly, and daily review. Reports are combined to provide a plant-wide summary for monthly review by upper management and staff; daily departmental summaries are reviewed by middle management and staff; and departmental summaries are prepared for daily review by supervisors, operators, engineers, and technicians. Problem areas become a focus for resolution, either through the application of additional internal attention, and/or searching externally for resolution. External consultants and expertise may also be placed on the action teams.

Effective measurements and setting goals provide the foundation of the Nascote Industries business, and the QOS is a proven method for accomplishing this goal. Quality and performance of products, equipments, and processes have continuously improved to world-class levels since Nascote Industries adopted the QOS as an effective way of doing business.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.