It is easy to think of quality as just a means by which we measure a product’s value. However, in the supply chain, quality goes far beyond just the value of the product that is being delivered. To ensure top product quality, manufacturers must also assess the processes by which they manage their quality standards. The practice of Total Quality Management can help companies manage their processes and provide the best products and services possible.
Total Quality Management involves the continuous effort by a company and its employees to ensure customer safety and long-term customer satisfaction. They do so by perfecting their processes and involving every moving part of their supply chain in working toward the goal of top product quality. By strengthening Total Quality Management practices, manufacturers and retailers may see improvements to their overall operations:
- Increased employee productivity
- Improved customer satisfaction and loyalty
- Improved product safety
- Decreased product waste
- Reduced costs
- Increased ability to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and markets
Principles of Total Quality Management
Now more than ever, consumers have countless options and endless information at their fingertips. Building their trust and loyalty is key to a business’s success. Prioritizing Total Quality Management and striving to guarantee that the consumer receives exceptional customer service and products every time is imperative to building and maintaining a positive relationship with consumers.
Toyota, the Japanese car manufacturer, was among the early pioneers of Total Quality Management. Their “customer first” and “quality first” philosophy and their kaizen method of continuous improvement have contributed to their success and inspired many to emulate their approach.
To effectively implement Total Quality Management into daily processes, there are a few principles companies may use as guidance:
- Start from the top – Successful quality management must start with company leadership. A leadership team will need to fully understand the processes involved in Total Quality Management to effectively enforce them.
- Provide proper training – When rolling out a Total Quality Management program, providing employees with the proper training needed from the start will boost success and encourage employees to implement the new practices in their daily tasks.
- Welcome change and improvement – Consumer behavior and the industry are constantly changing. To successfully implement Total Quality Management across the board, companies will need to be agile and open to change to meet consumer needs.
Companies looking to increase their overall quality may also use recyclable, lightweight iGPS plastic pallets, which incorporate smart features that make them traceable throughout the supply chain. These features allow companies to capture data at any point of distribution, ensuring better planning and efficiency, and allowing them to tweak processes in real time to enhance their quality management.
While providing quality products may be the end goal, the steps taken to from the time an order is placed to the time it is delivered to the consumer are just as important. In today’s increasingly competitive environment, Total Quality Management can make all the difference when striving for increased customer satisfaction.
Companies committed to improving their Total Quality Management iGPS plastic pallets for all their shipping needs. Our lightweight, recyclable plastic pallets can help reduce harmful emissions and lower your Total Cost of Business. For more information, contact us at 1-866-557-0047, email a specialist at [email protected], or visit our contact page.
