Experiencia con el proceso de mejoramiento de la calidad en una empresa manufacturera

Abstract

The successful implementation of a continuous quality improvement process in a manufacturing enterprise requires that certain vital conditions are present. It is also essential that those conditions be fully developed during the implementation period. If this is not the case, a detrimental factor that can be decisive is introduced in the process. To present these conditions the author uses his experience during the implementation of this process in Challenger Caribbean Corporation. This company used to manufacture electric circuit breakers in the Torrecilla Alta ward of Canovanas, Puerto Rico until the early 1990s. Westinghouse Corporation acquired Challenger in late 1988 and manufacturing facilities of that corporation gradually absorbed its production. The main conclusion of the experience at Challenger is that the implementation of a quality improvement process should start at the office of the chief executive and work its way down throughout the organization. Only after the chief executive and his/her staff have learned the process, have practiced it successfully and are completely convinced that the organization needs it for its long-term benefit will the lower ranks adopt the process as part of their jobs and not as another passing fad imposed by upper management.