No Quality Manual, no Job Instructions - Nothing

I have taken a job with a very small (8 employees) company. They are mainly a Tool & Die Shop with a few non-automotive Production jobs. At the time of my interview they had been offered to run a Ford job by the Tier I supplier in which they had made the die for. Well, someone from Ford came and performed a Quality System Assesment with no Quality System in place they did not score well. Ford offered them time to get compliant to their requirements. From the time of the interview and my starting they lost the job. My issue is a lot bigger than what I realized it was. I mean they have no Quality Manual no Job Instruction nothing I am the Quality Department! and I am suppose to fix it. Ford has stated that they will evaluate them again in the future. Should I just prepare for ISO9000:2000 or QS9000?????

QS if you are going to supply Ford. This forum will be of help so go through the different posts and begin your journey. There are many talented people here that can and do give assistance.

Note: Ford does not require QS, they require their own system, QOS, you can find it referenced in section II of QS 3rd Edition

ASD...

[This message has been edited by Al Dyer (edited 03 April 2001).]

[outoftown]

If Ford is your only customer of the Automotive OEMs, getting QS registration is not a requirment, but having a QS compliant system is. I would suggest start by getting the AIAG 7 pack + the Tooling & Equipment Supplement. Al Dyer is correct and that this forum is a great place for info.

Since you're in the automotive market area, I agree you should start with the QS documentation for now. Also make sure you get the T&E suppliments...designed for tooling manufacturers like yourself. You may find it useful in modifying some of the requirements for the smaller size of the business.

My last bit of advice is to not get discouraged. For a company with eight employees, QS is going to look like the proverbial mountain. But stay focused and try to read into it as much as possible. Be creative in applying the requirements and make the system work for YOU!

[matthew evans]

FOR A SMALL COMPANY LIKE YOURSELVES YOU MAY BE BETTER TO GO FOR FORD'S Q1 AWARD. THIS INVOLVES GETTING ACCREDITED TO ISO9000 AND THEN SOME ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS.
YOU MUST BE A FORD SUPPLIER.
MUST USE QUALITY OPERATING SYSTEM.(INCLUDES R&M ACTIVITIES)
GAIN CUSTOMER ENDORSEMENTS.
HAVE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION METRICS.

IF YOU CONTACT FORD THEY WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AS TO WHAT IS REQUIRED.
HOPE THIS HELPS.

[Fire Girl]

Diana

I was in a similar situation to you. I started at a small company, less than 20 employees. When I came here they were supposed to be setting up an ISO 9000 system. There was much work to still be done! They have their ISO system now and it works all right but I don't feel that they use it to its full potential. We supply to automotive companies, but not tier 1. We do not have QS9000 but we do comply with their procedures for certain customers. ISO covers some of that stuff. Anyway, even with a small company I think a quality system is a good thing.

Not really helpful info but I thought you might like to know that you were not alone!

When we were working toward QS - in the early stages it was helpful to:

>flow chart our processes (start with raw material and end with finished product). This will give you an idea of what procedures and job instructions are required.

>It was helpful to us also to look over sample quality manuals and procedures manuals to see how others did it.

>Some folks also made the mistake early on of controlling all documents - such as writing job instructions for making coffee (yeah this really happened). They also made HR forms such as W4's and I-9's controlled docs...totally unnecessary.

Good luck!