Understanding the Importance of Quality Control in Manufacturing
John Vogel
For manufacturers, there is a direct link between number of units sold and quality control. It may not be super clear and obvious that there is a link but nevertheless, the link exists, and it is solid: Consistent, well-made products boost revenues and customer retainment, while product defects drive existing customers and prospects into the eager arms of the competition.
The word “quality control” is often used loosely and can have different definitions for different people. The infographic below goes to the trouble of defining QC and disorientating itself from quality assurance, another necessary discipline in the world of manufacturing. The main point of quality control is its focus on preventing defective products from getting out in the world and reaching the consumer. Once you understand this simple (but sometimes elusive) definition of quality control, its connection to sales and the number of units sold becomes crystal clear.
The true cost of product defects is high on a number of fronts. If the end-user receives a defective product, a lot of bad and costly things can happen. If the product causes injury or death, just the cost of litigation can be enough to put even a large manufacturing organization out of business. And that’s ignoring the emotional toll of having one of your products hurt a person. If the manufacturer is lucky, the defects will be identified on the receiving dock, in which case the costs may be “limited” to a rejection, return and replacement.
On the flip side, high-quality standards help build a company’s reputation for quality. These high-quality standards can help attract prospects, generate referrals, earn reorders and allow the company to set higher prices. That is why QC is so important and should be emphasized early and often. For more on this, continue reaching below on how to improve your QC today.
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John Vogel brings over 38 years of experience in the Aerospace and Defense sector and leads the Quality function at Marotta Controls, Inc. As the VP of Quality, John is responsible for Quality Control, Quality Engineering, Quality Systems, Supplier Quality, Continuous Improvement and Calibration & Metrology.
