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Manufacturing Innovation Blog

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Quality Management Improvement Leads to New Business

By: Manufacturing Works

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person quality inspecting a large metal pipe
Credit: iStock/mediaphotos

Allen Inspection Services, located in Mills, Wyoming, is a family-owned metal service center with 16 employees. This fully mobile company provides metal tubular services and sales including hardbanding, hardband removal, straightening, and tubular inspection, as well as tubular sales and rentals. Allen Inspection’s primary market is the oil and gas drilling industry and it has the only portable hardband removal unit in the Rockies.

In early 2016, Allen Inspection was audited by a client. At the time, its quality manual was a mere three pages and the company had little to no documentation for much of its operations. The results of the audit were a number of non-conformities that needed corrective action or Allen Inspection stood the chance of losing the work.

Working with Manufacturing-Works helped us solve a huge problem that appeared to be insurmountable for us. We had no idea how to go from a company with no quality manual or quality culture to one that would stand up to an audit. The ability of Manufacturing-Works to help us break it down into manageable pieces made this achievable for us. If it was not for the team at Manufacturing-Works we would either be out of business today, or still struggling with our documentation and dreading audits.  —Linda Allen, Co-owner

The owners of Allen Inspection, Linda and Scott Allen, contacted Manufacturing-Works, part of the MEP National NetworkTM, for help. The company needed to address non-conformities, create a better quality manual, and improve the overall business. At the time, Allen Inspection consisted of six employees with three major customers and it did not have the time, knowledge, or experience to correct the situation without outside assistance.

Manufacturing-Works started by addressing the non-conformities and helping Allen Inspection with the appropriate corrective actions. After the immediate needs were addressed, Manufacturing-Works rolled out a SharePoint tool for document retention called "The Q" and arranged for ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor and Leadership training for the company. Manufacturing-Works supported the Allen Inspection team as it developed a full and robust quality manual in order to become ISO 9001 compliant.

With its new quality management system (QMS) in place, Allen Inspection has been able to quote projects for clients that were previously out of reach. The use of "The Q" and documented procedures has driven internal efficiencies for Allen Inspection, which has improved and streamlined much of its day-to-day work.

Results

  • 10 new jobs
  • Increased/retained $4.4 million in sales
  • Cost savings of $350,000
  • A culture of quality
  • QMS has allowed access to new clients

Could your company benefit from assistance with business improvement? Connect with your local MEP Center for more information.

 

Manufacturing-Works is the official representative of the MEP National Network in Wyoming. The MEP National Network is a unique public-private partnership that helps small and medium-sized manufacturers generate business results and thrive in today’s technology-driven economy. The MEP National Network comprises the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP), the 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Quality Management Systems

About the author

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Manufacturing Works

Manufacturing Works delivers services and solutions by coordinating a network of experts helping Wyoming manufacturers achieve success and grow Wyoming.

For more than 20 years we at MW have been delivering training, experience, and solutions for creating value. With our partners we’re here to help Wyoming businesses to grow to their full potential. Manufacturing Works provides broad technical assistance, engineering solutions, general business assistance, marketing assistance, and financial counseling. Manufacturing-Works is committed to helping businesses by delivering solutions for creating wealth. Manufacturing Works, in conjunction with others, can deliver complete solutions for companies. Manufacturing Works is a not-for-profit organization with professionals positioned throughout Wyoming, with current offices located in Laramie, Cheyenne, Casper, Sheridan, and Afton.

Manufacturing Works is a partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Wyoming Business Council, and a center of the University of Wyoming.

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