Managing Quality – OM in the News

Direct-to-Consumer Caskets Disrupt Traditional Business Model

The old saying “there’s nothing certain in life except death and taxes” may still be true, but more options now exist regarding the cost of burying a loved one.

Traditionally in the United States, a family purchases a casket upon the death of their loved one, as part of the arrangements made with a funeral home. Funeral homes provide both tangible products (such as a casket) and intangible services (such as preparing the body for viewing and burial). The combined total […]

By James Kirby Easterling|2023-11-12T10:46:29+00:00November 12, 2023|Tags: direct-to-consumer, inventory, inventory management, online shopping, process selection, quality, supply chain disruption, total cost of ownership|

Lego Redirects Efforts for Oil-Free Brick Design

Lego’s commitment to eliminate petroleum-based materials from its product has experienced a setback.

After years of research into alternative materials, Lego failed to find an adequate replacement that meets the current durability, safety, and quality standards. Despite the setback, Lego is not wavering from its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.

It continues to test and develop Lego bricks made from alterative sustainable materials and to take other actions (e.g., replacing plastic packaging with paper) to be more sustainable.

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By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2023-10-20T22:10:35+00:00October 20, 2023|Tags: packaging, product design, quality of conformance, quality of design, strategy, supply chain sustainability, sustainability|

House of Prime Rib: Quality, Not Variety

Most restaurants offer a variety of entrees. But the House of Prime Rib gives you only one choice—prime rib.

It has been open since 1949, serving only the one entrée. The House of Prime Rib meticulously selects only the best beef ribs, and prepares them to perfection using a 28-day dry age. The ribs are cooked in salt to ensure that all of the juices and favors are sealed in.

This dedication to producing the finest prime rib has led to success […]

By Ross L. Fink, Ph.D.|2023-10-18T03:54:33+00:00October 18, 2023|Tags: process design, process layout, product design, quality, standardization|

Tabasco: Maintaining Traditional Processes

McIlhenny’s Tabasco sauce still uses many of the production processes developed over 150 years ago.

The process starts with hand-picking peppers. Next, the peppers are sent for grinding and mixed with salt within one hour of being picked, then placed in oak whiskey barrels, covered with salt, and left to age for three years.

From the barrel, the mash is mixed with vinegar and then churned for three to four weeks. This is followed by a two-stage milling process that removes the […]

By Ross L. Fink, Ph.D.|2023-10-11T10:16:48+00:00October 11, 2023|Tags: assembly line, inspection, inventory management, perishable inventory management, process, quality, quality control|