product quality

Quality Issues with the Summer 2024 Paris Olympic Medals

Medals from the Summer 2024 Paris Olympics are being returned by athletes due to quality defects.

The renowned French luxury jeweler, Chaumet, which designed the medals, denied responsibility, pointing to the National Mint of France and its manufacturing process as the cause of the early tarnishing.

Video Spotlight:

Olympians say gold, silver, bronze medals from Paris are rusting (Jan 22, 2025, TODAY)

This post is based on the NY Post article, French luxury giant LVMH […]

By Lisa M. Spencer|2025-02-05T05:04:30+00:00February 5, 2025|Tags: cost of quality, product design, product quality, quality of design, sustainability|

A False Sense of Safety for Toyota Drivers

Toyota’s commitment to excellence is legendary. This image is now tarnished.

Daihatsu, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, has been involved in a series of scandals involving the falsification of safety compliance tests. The news has damaged Toyota’s reputation for reliability and safety. Over the years, the company has survived multiple recalls and lawsuits. This post explores what the company can do to regain customers’ trust.

Video Spotlight: Toyota’s Shocking Scandal Shakes up the Whole […]

By Corinne M. Karuppan, Ph.D.|2024-01-27T06:10:46+00:00January 28, 2024|Tags: inspection, lean management, product quality, quality costs, six sigma, statistical process control|

McDonald’s Plans Small But Mighty Burger Changes

McDonald’s is revamping the Big Mac along with other core burgers to improve appearance and taste.

Though some of the changes may seem small, the makeover project actually represents a significant shift in product design and strategy.

Video Spotlight:

McDonald’s to make ‘tasty improvements’ to its burgers. But why? (Apr 18, 2023, WFAA)

This post is based on the Yahoo article, The behind-the-scenes changes coming to McDonald’s burgers, by Dennis Lee, December 4, 2023; […]

By Lisa M. Spencer|2024-01-19T07:02:56+00:00January 19, 2024|Tags: consistency, external environment, product design, product quality, quality management, strategy|

In Search of the Perfect T-Shirt Made in the U.S.A.

According to one of Buck Mason’s founders, “there is nothing more essential to the American wardrobe than a white tee.”

The company was started with the objective of making a first-class t-shirt, a well-established product already manufactured by a myriad of competitors worldwide. The majority of the t-shirts are made in the U.S.A. with fabrics also made in the U.S.A. The founders are very involved in the production process and quality control which, they believe, enables them to […]

By Corinne M. Karuppan, Ph.D.|2023-09-11T14:58:50+00:00September 13, 2023|Tags: insourcing, location, product quality, sourcing|