New Thor subsidiary to use European manufacturing methods

2012Coleman wrote:

Walaby wrote:
I can't help but wonder if nothing will change until they change the physical location where RV's are made. No matter what you do to improve, you still have the same workforce with all of the problems and habits they have.

Mike

It's not the workforce - it's managements inability/failure to/just not caring about training them correctly. I've done it with worse - think dirt farmers in Olive Branch Mississippi

2012Coleman, thats just 10 miles south of me.

This thread reminded me of a post a year or so ago, was it Grand design that opened a facility to take all units there to be inspected before delivery.
I haven't heard anything since the about this.

Gonzo42 wrote:
Lynnmor, you are correct, but ISO 9000 protocols demand strict, acccurate procedures not just for the manufacturing process itself, but every activity within the company that involved the products. Design reviews are part of it. One must design not only for function, but for service. This last part is what I see in military designs but sadly lacking in commercial designs.

I have had ISO 9000 training and understand it well. In large part the system is just burdensome paperwork to entertain those that are not the hands on producers.

Demming, an American, taught the Japanese "lean manufacturing" at the end of WW II. Deming The Germans learned from Japan and now we (Americans) are learning from them? Too bad we didn't listen in the '50s!

It is most interesting that significantly more European and Asian companies are members of ISO9000 than American. I wounder why that is :-) I don't know if this new Thor add-on is.

Lynnmor, you are correct, but ISO 9000 protocols demand strict, acccurate procedures not just for the manufacturing process itself, but every activity within the company that involved the products. Design reviews are part of it. One must design not only for function, but for service. This last part is what I see in military designs but sadly lacking in commercial designs.

garyp4951 wrote:

Gonzo42 wrote:
As an engineer involved in two transitions to ISO 9001 standard in manufacturing, I consider it a huge leap in the both quality and efficiency. If this company is really interested in these two benefits, I say, "go for it".

It matters not what location, work force, or ethnicity is involved. Good solid procedures and inspections protocol make consistent quality products.

I totally agree with this statement, because quality control involves multi stage inspections.

I disagree, you cannot inspect quality into a product. You design for quality, buy quality materials and assemble with a quality workforce.

Walaby wrote:
I can't help but wonder if nothing will change until they change the physical location where RV's are made. No matter what you do to improve, you still have the same workforce with all of the problems and habits they have.

Mike

It's not the workforce - it's managements inability/failure to/just not caring about training them correctly. I've done it with worse - think dirt farmers in Olive Branch Mississippi

Gonzo42 wrote:
As an engineer involved in two transitions to ISO 9001 standard in manufacturing, I consider it a huge leap in the both quality and efficiency. If this company is really interested in these two benefits, I say, "go for it".

It matters not what location, work force, or ethnicity is involved. Good solid procedures and inspections protocol make consistent quality products.

I totally agree with this statement, because quality control involves multi stage inspections.

As an engineer involved in two transitions to ISO 9001 standard in manufacturing, I consider it a huge leap in the both quality and efficiency. If this company is really interested in these two benefits, I say, "go for it".

It matters not what location, work force, or ethnicity is involved. Good solid procedures and inspections protocol make consistent quality products.