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A recent study of internal quality assurance functions found that hybridized quality structures provide the most reliable outcomes. “Improving the Quality Function: Driving Organizational Impact & Efficiency,” performed by Best Practices LLC, concludes that companies that use at least three…
The National Committee for Quality Assurance recently added five new measures to the 2006 edition of its Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS). The online tool is used by U.S. health plans to measure and report on their performance in key areas of clinical care and customer service…
The International Electrotechnical Commission’s Standardization Management Board (SMB) recently released a new document outlining its strategy in alignment with the IEC’s Masterplan 2000. SMB Standardization Strategy 2005–2007 identifies eight objectives: Ensure the development of market-…
Iowa’s Easter Seals nonprofit organization recently adopted Six Sigma practices and it now expects to save thousands of dollars in ongoing Six Sigma projects. The organization partnered with Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. in 2000 to begin Six Sigma training, and to address production and supply…
The International Organization for Standardization is the “world’s largest developer of standards,” according to the World Trade Organization’s World Trade Report 2005. The recently released report was written by WTO economists and discusses the benefits standards deliver in terms of consumer…
In a wrap-up of the American Society for Quality’s World Conference for Quality and Improvement, ASQ officials reported the conference a big success.A total of 1,927 people attended the event, which was held in May in Seattle. ASQ reports that book sales increased 50 percent over last year and…
PQ Systems Inc. recently released an enhanced version of its GAGEpack EZ software that includes new measurement systems analysis and gage management capabilities. Other new features include maintenance scheduling, robust reporting features and user-selected sigma values for R&R percentages.…
Vision Engineering Ltd. is relocating to a manufacturing facility in New Milford, Connecticut, where it will offer higher quality and lean manufacturing of its microscopes and noncontact measuring equipment, company officials reported.Rick Coyle, Vision Engineering general manager, says that the…
A week after Leica Geosystems rejected its surprise acquisition offer, Hexagon Metrology has mounted an effort to buy all outstanding shares of the Swiss metrology company. Hexagon has offered Leica shareholders 440 Swiss Francs per share of Leica stock—a 21.23 percent…
Pilgrim Software Inc.’s Fusion 2005 User Conference will be held Nov. 6–9 at the Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina in Florida. Pilgrim expects the conference to be its largest yet. It will feature IT personnel, executives and Pilgrim users from all over the world to discuss best practices and…
Participants at the ISO 9001 & TQM International Conference and the Shanghai International Symposium on Quality proposed several ways that quality philosophies can adapt to the rapidly changing Asian social environment. The conferences were held simultaneously in Shanghai recently. Participants…
In an effort to strengthen local support to its customers, ASI DataMyte Inc. recently opened a new Shanghai office and expanded its distribution network in Poland.TQMsoft, headquartered in Krakow, Poland, specializes in quality systems training and consulting, and produces overall quality solutions…
Overall company growth and the addition of a new sales and marketing staff have prompted American Systems Registrar to move into new headquarters recently.The registrar’s new address is 5989 Tahoe Drive, Ste. 120, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Richelle Kinzie, ASR president, reports that the company…
New rules that prohibit the presence of lead and other hazardous substances in electronics and electrical equipment will be outlined in training courses held this summer and early fall in the United States. The new Hazardous Substance Free specification, adopted by the International…
MetricStream Inc. and Tata Consultancy Services, an Indian IT services firm, recently formed an alliance to help clients decrease the cost of compliance with government regulations and industry mandates. According to the companies, a recent study found that companies will spend nearly $15.5 billion…
TÜV América de México recently received ISO 9001 registrar accreditation from the entidad mexicana de acreditacíon (EMA). The accreditation will allow TÜV América de México to better meet local market needs and strengthen its customer commitment. It will also allow the registrar to conduct more…
Quality will need to become more of a focus as service industries realize that competing on price alone isn’t a viable, long-term business strategy, according to authors of the American Society for Quality’s Quality Index.“ISO management systems and Six Sigma have long been a staple of the…
Brookfield Engineering Laboratories was the recipient of the 2005 Northeast Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing.The award was presented by the University of Massachusetts’ College of Management’s Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership. The Shingo Prize has been dubbed the “Nobel Prize of…
Nutek Inc. will offer a seminar entitled “Product and Process Design Improvement Using the Taguchi Approach” in August. The event will be held August 2–5 at the Somerset Inn in Troy, Michigan. The seminar will prepare attendees for immediate application of the Genichi Taguchi technique in their own…
Pilgrim Software Inc. recently completed its first “Crystal Reports/Data Mapping and Reports” Boot Camp for owners of its software products. Eight customers and one partner attended the three-day session, which offered optional Crystal Reports training. The training provided students with the…
A newly released pocket-sized book will help automotive suppliers meet an upcoming deadline to comply with the new international technical specification for quality ISO/TS 16949.Robert Peach and James Collins Jr.’s The Memory Jogger for ISO/TS 16949 (QSU Publishing Co., 2005) is intended for every…
Wilcox Associates recently introduced STI+, an add-on module to its PC-DMIS software that simplifies shop floor measurements. STI+ allows users to check parts without having to become coordinate measuring machine experts. With a few mouse clicks, STI+ guides users through part setup and measurement…
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, administrator of the Baldrige Award, has released the application summaries of the award’s 2004 winners. The application summaries reveal how: The Bama Co. increased sales by 72 percent while the overall frozen baked goods industry remained…
As concerns about food safety and bioterrorism become increasingly prevalent in the food industry, the National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association and RQA Inc. have announced an alliance to offer discounted quality assurance services. The service will provide a dedicated RQA account manager…
A new survey reveals that past failures and bad habits often get in the way of executing successful strategies. The April Leadership Pulse sampled more than 4,000 executives, focusing on how they execute strategies. In the report, 308 worldwide professionals indicated that the top items mostly…
