{"id":9780,"date":"2021-09-21T09:26:47","date_gmt":"2021-09-21T16:26:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qad.com\/blog\/?p=9780"},"modified":"2021-09-21T09:28:23","modified_gmt":"2021-09-21T16:28:23","slug":"pennengineering-turns-to-qad-eqms-to-standardize-quality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qad.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/pennengineering-turns-to-qad-eqms-to-standardize-quality","title":{"rendered":"PennEngineering Turns to QAD EQMS to Standardize Quality"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”9781″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]It\u2019s a typical story we see all the time, in almost every industry \u2013 as an enterprise grows, both organically and through mergers and acquisitions, it becomes obvious that each entity needs the same enterprise solutions to efficiently coordinate, communicate and <\/span>maintain quality<\/span><\/a>. Trying a patchwork approach to <\/span>quality management systems (QMS)<\/span><\/a> is an exercise in futility. Forward-looking managers know that standardizing solutions across all divisions, plants and locations is a wise investment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take <\/span>PennEngineering<\/span><\/a>, for example \u2013 a global leader in the fastening industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout its 75-year history, PennEngineering has been recognized as the go-to fastening resource for virtually every industry, from computers and electronics, data\/telecom, medical, and automotive, to marine, aerospace\/avionics and general manufacturing categories. Its <\/span>self-clinching <\/span>fasteners are the gold standard of the thin sheet fastening industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the US-based company added strategic manufacturing and technical locations around the world, management knew it needed a standardized quality management solution to facilitate communication, add visibility and automate error-prone paper-based processes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Like other global manufacturers, PennEngineering often has one plant acting as a supplier to another plant. Before implementing <\/span>QAD\u2019s EQMS solution<\/span><\/a>, the company lacked the visibility into how a supplying plant was dealing with quality issues and non-conformances, with no standard for corrective action. Sometimes internal suppliers needed more impetus to identify and fix problems. Audits uncovered situations that could turn into major problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs these plants across the globe come in with different or even paper-based quality platforms, we need a standardized quality environment for all plants to be able to share information,\u201d commented Quality Control Program Manager Mike Payionk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Implementing an Enterprise Quality Management System (EQMS)<\/span><\/h2>\n

Management wisely looked for an Enterprise Quality Management System (EQMS) to centralize and standardize all quality activities while delivering visibility and transparency.<\/span><\/p>\n

The company launched QAD EQMS at 11 manufacturing plants across the globe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHaving one system allows us to share corrective\/preventative actions, documentation, and product launches seamlessly across the globe. This ensures that all plants within our organization are sharing best practices,\u201d commented Payionk.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The company also implemented three major features of QAD EQMS:<\/span><\/p>\n

Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Product Part Approval Process (PPAP)<\/span><\/h3>\n

The company reduced the time it takes to create PPAP documents with the use of templates. The <\/span>Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (<\/span>FMEAs) that tie to Corrective Action Preventive Action (CAPA) promote institutionalized knowledge of possible failures. Lessons learned from CAPA are archived.<\/span><\/p>\n

Document Control<\/span><\/h3>\n

PennEngineering gained a single source of truth when reviewing and approving documents, including email notifications and escalations to keep the workflow moving. A comprehensive <\/span>change management<\/span><\/a> solution ensures that a single change request includes all documentation, drawings, processes and <\/span>APQP documentation<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s brought clarity to all of our documentation. We\u2019ve shared guidelines, work instructions and best practices across all locations globally \u2013 it\u2019s really opened up our ability to see what\u2019s happening on a plant level and a customer level. I don\u2019t have to call the plant in China from here in Michigan, I can just look at the system and see what\u2019s being applied and go from there. It\u2019s definitely <\/span>connected all of the plants<\/span><\/a> together,\u201d said Payionk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Non-conformance Reporting (NCR) \/ Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Now the company responds to non-conformances and issues alerts faster, and prints hold tags to the shop floor to isolate problems. PennEngineering has streamlined its disposition process. The company is also using embedded root cause tools to establish corrective actions that address the root causes, reducing repeat issues and ultimately improving the customer experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cQAD EQMS has built-in logic to help identify the responsible site and who the quality contact is at that location,\u201d added Payionk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Global Best Practices<\/span><\/h2>\n

Among the many benefits of implementing QAD EQMS, PennEngineering has standardized its quality system across its global operations and thereby gained:<\/span><\/p>\n