Hmmm, well, good questions, Linda. Having just been through the TE registration process, AND Q1 status with Ford, the campaign is still fresh in my mind. Let me see if I can shed some light here, (or maybe further muddy the waters..)
First of all, you are to be commended for doing QS and TE..these are daunting tasks, and require alot of time, effort and patience......
Becoming QS-9000 and TE does NOT automatically make you a Q1 supplier. Ford will initiate that themselves, if they want you to participate in the Q1 program. You have to be a long-term, preferred supplier to Ford, in order to be considered for the Q1 program. The company I work for, is considered a TE supplier by Ford, (non-production parts). Part of the Q1 requirements for TE suppliers is COMPLIANCE to certain elements of the TE Supplement..note I did not say "registration". Basically, the R&M elements have to be implemented for the products that you sell to Ford. There is a system of customer endorsements, and a "grading scale", that you must satisfy, based on your performance, to be considered for Q1. My company made an internal decision to do full registration to TE, not simply compliance.
Part of the Q1 criteria is the development of an ISO-9001 system, (this you MUST be third-party registered to for Ford, by the way). If you are implementing QS-9000, look in the back of the QS manual, to the Ford specific requirements. There, you will see a "shall" for implementing a QOS. QOS= Quality Operating System". BAsically, this is a system of internal and external business and performance measurements, i.e. PPM, OTD, and whatever else is important to your business. You need to set goals, and show progress towards them, etc. If you are doing QS, you will satisfy the intent of a QOS through your QS-9000 measurable systems. i.e. PPM analysis, COQ, OTD, etc.
My suggestion for you would be to read and understand the Ford-specific requirements that are spelled out in the QS-9000 manual. In addition for the requirement for a QOS, is the need to utilize Ford's version of the AIAG
APQP manual. It is called" FAO Advanced Product Quality Planning Status Reporting Guideline". If you are not familiar with this document, let me know, and I will get you a phone number to get it from, along with lots of other Ford stuff....Q1 info, QOS info, etc.
Again, being QS-9000 and TE compliant does NOT automatically make you a Q1 supplier, but it will satisfy the vast majority of the requirements. If you are doing alot of work for Ford, contact your STA there, and ask him about Q1. Ford is "revitalizing" Q1, and you will see more and more about it in the months to come.
Let me know if you have more qestions.
Bryon
Good luck with your QS/TE efforts.