The Importance of Quality Control

Through the process of quality control, all factors involved in the manufacturing process are carefully overseen. According to the family of standards ISO 9000, which allows for the creation and implementation of quality management systems (QMSs), quality control refers to a section of quality management that focuses on fulfilling all relevant quality requirements.

Starting with the supply chain, quality control adherence establishes quality standards that customers, partners, and companies recognise and trust. This means that you will have a returning customer base that can trust your products and services. In addition, because many organisations also have international relationships, it is crucial that everyone follows the same standards and measures quality the same way.

Increasing Customer Satisfaction

Having a recognised set of standards in place, like the ISO 9000, indicates that your quality control system is assessed and approved on a regular basis. This means that many organisations prefer to do business with other companies that have these certifications; they know that quality control management means fewer errors, better communication, improved quality, and higher standards.

A more productive company will lead to higher customer satisfaction which, in turn, leads to a rise in customer satisfaction. Standards like the ISO 9001, which is a branch of the larger ISO 9000, can actually increase your competitive edge by 54%; also, businesses with this certification report an increase of 57% in new clients. These figures clearly show just how important QMSs are.

Great Economic Contribution

The importance of quality standards should never be underestimated or overlooked, especially when it comes to its contributions to the UK economy. The Centre for Economics and Business Research conducted a study that included data from 1921-2013 – its conclusion was that the ISO 9000 and other standards like it are crucial to the economic growth of the country.

After all, they already contribute £8.2 billion to the economy (which is equivalent to 28.4% of the annual UK GDP growth), and an increase of 37.4% in productivity can also be traced back to them.

Reducing Errors

While it is virtually impossible to ensure 0% of errors in a business, mainly because of the vast number of variables in place, implementing a QMS can help you get very close. You’ll be able to achieve your goals and targets more easily (and with more accuracy), you can increase quality and streamline your day-to-day tasks and procedures.

The end result is a smoother-running company and fewer mistakes being made, whether human error or otherwise.

Lower Waste and Costs

By becoming certified in a quality management system, your business will be able to implement more eco-conscious practices and processes. Reducing waste is one of the most important issues that we face today, so organisations are increasingly looking for ways to become more environmentally-friendly and reduce the waste they produce.

Ensuring that your company decreases waste will have a big impact, as it will help you cut down business costs. Additionally, fewer levels of waste also mean that other eco-conscious companies are more likely to do business with you; you’ll be able to attract customers that prefer to deal with a business that shares the same values and passion as they do.

Improved Reputation

All of this leads to a better reputation. After all, clients tend to share their experiences and opinions on social media, for instance, and positive feedback can help your marketing campaign and allow you to stand out from the crowd. This means QMSs can help you build a brand and business with a good reputation, as word-of-mouth carries a lot of weight.

At Airedale Springs, we’re well aware of the important role that quality management systems play in businesses; the same importance applies in the manufacturing and engineering industries as well. Without quality control, it would be more difficult to develop relationships and trust in a company’s quality processes, which would hinder the way business is conducted.