An Analysis of Statistical Process Control Methods in the Non-Ferrous Metal Slitting Industry as it Affects Just-in-Time Inventory Control

Author

Vincent Andrew Williams, Fontbonne College

Year of Award

1990

Degree

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

College

College of Business & Professional Studies

Degree Program

Business

Department

Business Administration

Keywords

copper, steel, brass, distributor, magnetic, alloy, TQI, quality control

Abstract

The non-ferrous metal industry produces copper and copper based alloys and aluminum. The slitting process involves large rolls of this material in various thicknesses and temper being cut to a width usable by the customer for either punching, forming or transformer windings.

This industry like so many others is under fire to produce higher quality goods, faster and for a better price. Some of the methods that are used to attain these goals include Statistical Process Control and Just-In-Time Inventory Control.

These methods have been used by the Japanese for the past 40 years and are part of the main reason their quality and productivity has improved so rapidly. The ironic thing is that the first application of Statistical Process Control was in the United States. Its greatest use in World War II was in the production of war materials to defeat the Japanese. After the war it fell into disuse and was later transferred to Japan by W. Edward Deming. He has since become a kind of Japanese hero.

Just-In-Time means that each process is supplied only what it needs when it is needed. Statistical Process Control is the use of statistical methods to monitor the performance of a process in real time, with the intention of preventing defective parts from being produced.

The combined use of these methods takes on different forms in different industries, yet it is commonly referred to as Total Quality Control.

With the dawning of the Total Quality era, the distributor must also be putting to use these same methods in order to supply those who already have them in place and to make himself a more efficient and sought after supplier.

As always competition continues to stiffen and great pressure is placed on the middleman to cut his margin. In order to do this and survive, a total mind set of quality and efficiency must prevail. The use of these Japanese proven processes is the first step.

Comments

This thesis was selected for its superior quality, and was suggested as a good example for MBA students to follow.

Document Type

Restricted Thesis

Recommended Citation

Williams, Vincent Andrew, "An Analysis of Statistical Process Control Methods in the Non-Ferrous Metal Slitting Industry as it Affects Just-in-Time Inventory Control" (1990). All Theses, Dissertations, and Capstone Projects. 411.
https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/all-etds/411