Extending Quality's Reach to Manage Quality in the Supply Chain
Olin Thompson - January 20, 2006

Introduction

The quality department lies at the heart of a manufacturing concern. The quality department is responsible for ensuring that a company's products consistently meet its quality expectations. The speed and accuracy with which the quality department can perform its functions is one determinant of how quickly products can be delivered. Traditionally, quality departments have focused their efforts within the four walls of the plant, but today's demands and technology are pushing quality requirements beyond those four walls to the entire supply chain...