QOS for Tooling and Equipment - Having difficulty selecting a measurable

I work for a TE supplier in the UK.
As required by our main customer (Ford),we are required to structure our Continuous Improvement to QOS.
We have selected measurables based on many aspect of our business, but we are having difficultly is selecting a measurable which is associated to our products. Assessing products in the field does not give fast enough results on actions (although we still do this). We have considered assessing modularity and counting changes post design stage, but we can't find a deniminator that enables us to compare machine to machine (or sub-assy to sub-assy).
Has anyone else had any success in using a measurable or KPI on eqiupment or machinery.
I would also be interested to hear from TE suppliers who are also working on TE-9000 in general.

Thanks, Sean

Hi, all

We just went through a T&E Supplement Pre-assessment this morning. We are already a QS-9000 registered firm, and was asked by Ford to become qualified as a Q1 supplier. We are considered by Ford as a T&E supplier, (we design and manufacture returnable packaging). Part of Ford's Q1 criteria is self-assessed compliance to T&E. I am not satisfied with merely compliance, and have set a goal of third-party registration to T&E. Now, the registrars cannot certify yet, (not till October)so when that day arrives, we will certify.but we did go through a pre-assessment. The biggest message I got from the auditors was that, at least in our industry, much of the T&E supplement is not applicable. However, there are certain areas of the supplement that are applicable to everyone. What I am getting at, is that the supplement is rather "flexible" for those who are NOT already QS-9000 certified,(I.E. ISO, or nothing) but for those of us who are,,,it will be a bit of a problem.

We are supplying Ford with "Tooling and Equipment", and we are experiencing some indecision, and inexperience on their part as to how to roll these requirements to their suppliers. (R&M requirements) Our problem will not lay with satisfying the customer, at this point, but rather, satisfying the registrar.

We too, have developed a Ford-specified "QOS". This information/data basically was drawn from our normal Management Reviews, as required by QS-9000. We set measurables, and established goals, and marked/noted progress towards these goals. This is enough to satisfy the intent of the standard (and our registrar).

The TE Supplement is still relatively new to the QS-9000 arena, and the parameters are still being defined, and interpretations are still being done. The Second Edition, which I just received in the mail two weeks ago, did little to shed light on the intent of the standard, at least in my industry.

Bottom Line is this, meet the intent of the standard, and do what is applicable to your company, within your industry. If you are intending to attain third-party registration to the supplement, be sure to define what is applicable to your industry/company, and be sure to inform your registrar of your position. i learned alot today, but still have some doubts.

Please contact me with questions/concerns/solutions. Maybe we can all learn together.


Thanks.

Bryon

[Marc]

I appreciate your input here. I recently received the latest edition of the supplement but haven't gone through the process.

It is telling when you say:

"We are supplying Ford with "Tooling and Equipment", and we are experiencing some indecision, and inexperience on their part as to how to roll these requirements to their suppliers. (R&M requirements) Our problem will not lay with satisfying the customer, at this point, but rather, satisfying the registrar."

I'm surprised in some respects that returnable packaging is 'T&E', but then again.

Any other info and/or advice you have will be helpful and appreciated.

[This message has been edited by Marc Smith (edited 08-25-98).]