Partnership with Customers
Improving Product Quality
Before our products land into the hands of the end user, they are incorporated into the products of assembly manufacturers - our direct customers - where they are given important roles in the functions of the end products of those independent makers. In order to supply the “art of electronics” and services that satisfy our customers and the end user, every Alps employee is working to improve the quality of our products. In addition, we diligently anticipate customer needs and work on developing and evaluating technologies and products that we foresee as being potentially required by the customer.
Quality Control Policy
Our quality management systems initiate quality improvements through our company-wide Fundamental Quality Control Policy and additional individual policies held at each production plant. In order to facilitate improvements in global quality performance, individual performance and quality issues are shared not only within the relative plants, but are also reported regularly to the Board of Directors chaired by the President.
Quality Management System
International standards for quality management systems are essential for business as they ascertain that all departments contribute to customer satisfaction through elements of quality assurance. Every Alps Electric production plant (including overseas) had been certified ISO 9001 compliant by fiscal 2005. Furthermore, plants producing automotive-related products have also been certified ISO/TS 16949 compliant. Our efforts toward further improving our quality management systems are never ending.
Efforts to Improve Quality
Basic training in QE for fiscal 2007 new employees
QE representatives from overseas affiliates gather for a debriefing and exchange session
Originally, the principle behind quality inspections was to confirm compatibility with a product’s specification sheet, agreed upon with an individual customer. However, this concept was somewhat wanting and had in a number of cases resulted in customer dissatisfaction after shipment even though specifications had been met.
Alps Electric has since adopted a new evaluation system based on QE (quality engineering). A computer detects delicate differentials, immediately and accurately evaluates potential functional instability of the product and prevents shipment of any defective found. We are increasing the number of products that can be monitored by this system so that we can incorporate it into our overseas plants. To develop the system further, we also created a QE training program which besides skill transfer, focuses on instilling into the employees a desire and determination to prevent defectives from ever leaving the line. We are always striving to go above and beyond customers’ expectations in quality assurance.
