Toshiba: Ome Works

Question: How can Toshiba retain the lead in Product Quality in the new line?
This question can be addressed in many ways. We are proposing a set of guideline which can improve the product quality of Toshiba notebook in the proposed new line. The first approach would be to provide high quality innovative product at good prices. Quality is one thing Toshiba is very strict about. In their own words Quality should be built into process flow. Looking closely at the notebook business gives insight about the way market operates. Toshiba has positioned itself as a market leader by following two strategies. 1: Aggressive pricing 2: technological superiority In order to attain these goals there must be increase in productivity and lowering of costs which will further amount to change in assembly process. If toshiba wants to position its products aggressively cost cutting is necessitated, which can be brought upon by change in the assembly process.

Present quality practices:

The present system employed at Ome works also has some very good practices. There is quality check at every stage. They have the practice of happy faces where quality is measured by that days happy faces. They also have this concept of collective responsibility that involves everyone working at the line. Employee involvement is emphasized at every step of production through KAIZEN. Now we come to the question of suggesting steps to improve line. They are as follows. The accountability for quality in each line would rest with the supporter There are 2% mistakes due to poorly designed assembly operations. This situation can be avoided by simulating operations before going to production to check out for any operational inadequacies. Should there be any problem with bad components are to be dealt with at vendor level. If Classification of KAIZENS is done according to delivery by workmen in order of importance to process flow the process can b improved further. Reliability can be improved by introducing these following simple tests EMI (Electromagnetic Interference)/EMC (Electromagnetic compatibility) testing Endurance testing (for a fixed sample) Electrical testing

Outsourcing can also be one option which can bring in further improvement in the line process Create sub-assemblies at vendor level Quality check of sub-assembled product at vendor level