european cars

The new approach, which builds on the existing Q1 program, focuses on Ford Global Purchasing and suppliers using results-based criteria and emphasizes working together at the manufacturing site.
Ford worked carefully and closely with its suppliers to develop the program. Feedback from major suppliers was paramount in re-engineering the existing Q1 process.
``Our Q1 suppliers are expected to perform at a certain level, but more importantly, they're putting the tools in place to maintain excellence and to improve their quality with each passing year,'' said Carlos Mazzorin, Ford group vice president, Global Purchasing and South America.
The program is being revised because it has lost some of the human touch that made it a benchmark, said Dave Velliky, Ford Purchasing director, Global Supplier Technical Assistance. european cars ``Ford's Q1 in the past has been viewed as a global industry standard. Gaining Q1 status was a one-time event that didn't need to be renewed. Once achieved, suppliers had limited interaction with Ford. But those days are over.''
The Q1 manufacturing site assessment -- a tool of the new process -- looks at the important areas expected in any robust quality system. It evaluates how well the site has planned for and demonstrated overall manufacturing process capability. With the former process, Ford didn't always work closely or consistently with suppliers on the plant floor. european cars With the new Q1, Ford is working directly with suppliers on a regular basis on all quality-related matters.
Supplier Improvement Metrics are now closely tied to Q1 status, so suppliers know exactly where they stand. Q1 suppliers are responsible for the total quality of the goods and services they provide to Ford. Manufacturing Site Assessment, for example, evaluates whether the supplier is performing up to customer expectations.
Ford suppliers must satisfy Q1 2002 requirements beginning Feb. european cars 1, 2002. Between now and then, suppliers need to monitor their performance to be certain they meet the requirements. The site must be re-evaluated every six months. Ford engineers are receiving advanced technical training to aid suppliers along the way.
Q1 is a recognized quality brand name trustmark. ``Q1 works well,'' Velliky said, ``but in today's dynamic marketplace, companies that don't improve get left behind. Q1 2002 is new and replaces previous expectations and requirements.