Departments Editorial CUTTING TOOLS
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EDITORIALA good readNot surprisingly, I read a lot. I have to. I'm an editor. Not everything I read in a typical workday is...how shall I say it?...a keeper, a clip-and-save, a show-to-my-colleagues piece of writing that's noteworthy for both substance and form. Every so often, though, I come across just such a find. This time, it comes disguised as a corporate brochure from Precision Carbide Tool Co, Niles, IL. Precision's brochure is actually a quality manifesto. "Quality is the most liquid asset," the brochure proclaims. "At Precision, the headwaters of quality are the president and his staff. They are dedicated to Total Quality Management principles as are all the company's employees who make quality a reality." Headwaters of quality. What a nicely turned phrase, eh? What a tremendous image to live up to. The brochure then goes on to explain its "star system" for quality production. Here's part of that explanation: "Manufacturing cells or 'Stars' are an integral part of our ability to produce the tool you need on time and with consistent high quality. Each star is state-of-the-industry-equipped and staffed by a highly trained team to produce a style and range of drills from start to finish. "Pride of workmanship is stimulated in this environment with each member seeing his or her work take shape in the finished product and its quality. Perfection is built into the process. With defect prevention hardly ever being more than a step away, each team member takes responsibility for each drill produced. The Precision 'Star System' is our adaptation of the new world-class method of small-group manufacturing used to ensure quality and flexibility in production." Precision caps its quality manifesto with a great pun: "Some of the best products in the world have holes in them. Chances are they were put there with a great deal of Precision." What a pleasure to read--and to share.
Joseph F McKenna Editor
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