In manufacturing, quality control is a process that ensures customers receive products free from defects and meet their needs. When done the wrong way, it can put consumers at risk. For example, the recent defect found in Takata airbags resulted in the biggest automotive recall in history. The recall includes almost 69 million airbag inflators and may cost billions of dollars. The recall will last until the end of 2019 and take until 2020 to resolve.

Major recalls like these can be prevented through effective quality control in manufacturing. Some common tools used to support quality control include:

• Statistical process control (SPC) monitors and controls quality by tracking production metrics. It helps quality managers identify and solve problems before products leave the facility.
• Six Sigma uses five key principles to ensure products meet customers’ needs and have zero defects.

When supported by lean tools like Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), 5S, and Kaizen, most if not all defects can be eliminated.

As workplaces grow increasingly sophisticated, it’s imperative that employers keep workers safe, increase efficiency, and improve organization.

Floor marking is one subtle, yet effective way to meet these requirements. Available in several colors, patterns, and materials, floor marking plays an important role in addressing common safety concerns—no matter the workplace or industry.

There is more to implementing Kaizen than we can include on a single web page. However, the following serves as an overview of introducing Kaizen into an American workplace. For most American companies Kaizen involves a significant change in the corporate culture. This is key.

Product identification is a broad category of labeling that includes functions such as product traceability, brand protection, and various information labels. With a rapidly changing business environment and constant threats from theft and counterfeit products, product identification labeling is critical.