New Services Provided By SQA

Education and training of employees is an on-going challenge for many organizations. Employee turnover is a way-of-life. Good employees leave for a variety of reasons. When they leave, a knowledge void is created. New employees come in and are expected to begin producing in as short a time as practicable. If an organization is lucky, they will be able to hire new employees that have the skills and knowledge required to be productive. But the reality is that many new employees need to be trained in the fundamentals of quality management system requirements. And it is another reality that even experienced employees may need periodic "brushing up." Consequently, organizations search for ways to provide training that meets its needs and is cost-effective

Other areas where organizations struggle include executing effective internal audits and dealing with challenges created by suppliers.

So, what is the answer?

There is exciting news. In response to increasing requests from a variety of stakeholders, Smithers Quality Assessments is proud to announce that it is now offering several new services, including training, internal audits and supplier audits. Each of these is designed to provide clients and non-clients access to the extensive knowledge base possessed by our managers, auditors and other professional associates.

Starting May 22, 2007, we will be offering a slate of training classes helpful to those working to improve management system effectiveness. Many classes will be open to the public, including clients and non-clients as well. Training classes will be offered in two modes. For clients and non-clients, training will be available via a series of public venues. For non-clients, training may also be delivered on-site at their facilities.

Training Class Schedule

Our first series of training classes will be held in Perrysburg, OH (just south of Toledo, OH), Tuesday through Thursday, May 22-24, 2007. Topics are:

• Internal auditing

• Automotive Core Tools (FMEA, APQP, PPAP, SPC, MSA)

• Customer Specific Requirements (GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler)

In a few weeks, we will mail the brochure which more fully describes these course offerings. You can also refer to the SQA web page: www.simthersregistrar.com,or, call Patricia Lindley at SQA (330-762-4231, ext. 255)

Internal Audits

Why have SQA perform you internal audits? Internal audits, executed effectively are a key source of early problem detection, added value and continuous improvement. Yet many organizations are ill-prepared to plan and execute them effectively. This is not for lack of trying or dedication on the part of their internal auditing staff. The simple fact is that internal auditors from within an organization may be too close to the processes and personnel, and they may lack the business acumen to see the bigger picture. SQA uses only professional, skilled and experienced auditors to execute internal audits. When SQA executes your internal audits, you will receive verbal and written feedback as to the status of each process assessed. If you would like, the auditor can also use our standard Corrective Action Request form any nonconformities identified. Thus, your organization is placed on an accelerated path to improvement.

Supplier Audits

Suppliers represent a major input to your organization. They supply the raw materials, parts, components and services that your organization depends upon to provide high-quality products, delivered on-time to your customers. Your customers rely upon you for this. You should expect nothing less from your suppliers. However, this is not always the case. The fact is that many of the problems experienced in your manufacturing process may have their root causes traced back to suppliers to your organization. The natural tendency when supplier-caused problems occur is to send someone from your organization to the offending supplier in an attempt to remedy the situation. However, this may be the least effective, highest-cost approach. SQA can act as a representative of your organization. Using highly trained auditors experienced in your suppliers' field, our auditors can quickly identify the real cause or causes of the problem and provide effective follow-up to assure that the problem or problems get corrected and stay corrected.

Special note:
The rules for accreditation place special control on registrars providing internal and supplier auditing service. Thus, at this time, these services are only available to non-SQA clients.