Article July 3, 1978 Issue

Quality control through God-controlled thought

ALBERT ASHWORTH

Years ago when I was a junior staff member of an engineering company, there was no such thing as a quality control, or inspection, department. There was, though, a very noticeable amount of skill exercised in the production of everything from the moldings to the finished castings, and very few goods were returned. Consequently, customer relations were at a high standard. The salesmen's task in those days was made much easier because clients were well satisfied with the quality of the machinery and spares they received. And the company made handsome profits.

When I returned from Army service in World War II to my previous employer, I realized that many changes were taking place. The introduction of an Inspection Department, later known as the Quality Control Department, was one of them. The surprising thing, though, was that despite very good order books the profit margin was poor and for years continued on the decline.

A question worthy of consideration is, What is quality control? Does it refer mainly to the product or to the employees? If the latter, where does it start? Surely with each member of a company from the president, or chairman, to the newest apprentice.

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