Statistical Quality Control

Contaminated Baby Formula: The High Costs of Poor Quality

At the Sturgis plant, contaminated baby formula led to serious illnesses and a crippling shortage (see earlier post).

Sloppy procedures, deficient product testing, and a company culture prioritizing output quantity over quality were the precursors to a widespread crisis that could have been prevented. The FDA’s nonchalance and a lack of swift, corrective action have imperiled the lives of many and cast doubt that all root causes of the problems have been eradicated.

Video Spotlight:

By Corinne M. Karuppan, Ph.D.|2022-09-08T21:37:51+00:00September 10, 2022|Tags: costs of quality, product quality, product recall, quality control, six sigma|

Recalls, Material Shortages and More Lead to Baby Formula Shortages

Nationwide shortages of baby formula have had panicked parents desperately searching to find enough.

The problem has been worsening and is expected to last at least through 2022. Parents are taking to social media to assist each other in finding alternatives and to help raise awareness about this crisis.

Video Spotlight:

Baby formula shortage across US l GMA (May 6, 2022, ABC News)
Baby formula shortage: factory linked to contamination reopens (June 4, 2022, […]

By Lisa M. Spencer|2022-06-06T06:15:02+00:00June 10, 2022|Tags: food safety, food supply chain, inventory management, quality control, recalls, shortage, statistical process control|

Inside Your Running Shoe

Could top quality products be within everyone’s reach?

Think how nice it would be if all the little defects inside your running shoes could be identified and eliminated before you buy them. No more rubbing, burning, itching, aching. This attention to design and quality control may soon become the norm even for ordinary consumer products. Lumafield has designed a CT scanner that enables engineers to see inside their products and identify problems and opportunities for improvement. Their product may not be […]

By Corinne M. Karuppan, Ph.D.|2022-05-03T20:52:52+00:00May 6, 2022|Tags: competitivness, product design, product quality, productivity, quality assurance, respsonsive supply chain design, value analysis|

Hot off the Press: How a Book Is Made

There is something special about the look and feel of a printed book.

Before you hold that book in your hands, it goes through a long fabrication process in which creativity, art, technology, craftsmanship, and operations management come together. The interactive article describes and illustrates the steps of this fabrication process. It also details the quality control checks needed to ensure the quality and visual appeal of a commercially produced hardcover book.

Video Spotlight: How Are Books Made? […]

By Corinne M. Karuppan, Ph.D.|2022-03-06T20:30:03+00:00March 8, 2022|Tags: manufacturing processes, process selection, quality assurance|