John works for Quality Management and Training Ltd a Quality Assurance Consultant and Quality Manager. He is also studying for a BSc in Technology with Open University.
He has spent 14 years in the Electronics/Mechanics field working for Keeler Ltd an Ophthalmic Medical Instrument Manufacturing company supplying products world-wide, the last five years of which he was Quality Manager. His role of Quality Manager actively involved:
- Control of many disciplines in manufacturing including Machining, Electronics assembly, Plastics, Optical components (lens manufacture) and finishing processes.
- Obtaining and retaining ISO900 Accreditation from Department of Health to their Guide to Good Manufacturing Practices
- Full involvement in the Introduction of Total Quality Management.
- Support in the design and development of innovative products
- Application of electro-mechanical standards to Keeler product and submission to approving authorities such as BSI, CSA, UL, TUV. In addition, responsible for safety of all factored products which, entailed liaison with overseas manufacturers and detailing modifications necessary to comply with relevant standards.
- Experience in handling in excess of 2000 customers and 500 vendors – successfully achieved a reduction of vendor problems by 75% and customer complaints by 50%.
Total Quality and development of change included:
- Creation of the structure for Total Quality Planning of product by critical path from marketing through design and production, to delivery to the satisfied customer.
- Introduction of Quality Circles, including the introduction and development of communication links between production, design, Production Engineering and Quality Assurance.
- Gaining acceptance of Value Engineering and Failure Modes and Effect Analysis as an essential design and development tool.
- Laying the foundations for roving inspection and operator inspection.
- Introduction of Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Introducing Scrap, rework and vendor control analysis.
- Involvement in setting up a training department
- Creation and implementation of detailed inspection procedures to cover all manufactured items.
- Set-up of automatic updating of equipment calibration via external British Calibration Service approved company.