Quality management
Our industrial management system is progressing towards the integration and standardization of quality management models, through the consolidation of a corporate management structure that is functionally responsible for all companies and brands. The department is working on the expansion of a management model that encourages independent action by those responsible for quality at each center, following the guidelines defined by corporate management. Progress has been made on key issues such as the transfer of proprietary information between department heads and the need to consolidate a common reporting system.
Specific actions include advances in Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) as regards the selection process of new suppliers as well as the monitoring and control of current suppliers. Another noteworthy activity in 2013 has been the system of industrial platforms’ assimilation of action protocols defined by Quality Management.
The Group’s quality guidelines applicable to color standards, sanitary ware and acrylic products have been updated. New guidelines have also been developed for the shower screen and furniture areas. All regulations have been sent to quality managers via the appropriate IT channels. These actions allow more effective control of the Group’s trademarks.
The Quality Department has also taken control of the environmental quality of our production plants. In this regard, the facility renovation policy has helped maintain good levels of energy efficiency in recent years, with savings of 19.6% in gas consumption and 5.7% in electricity consumption between 2006 and 2013. Special note should be taken of the importance of our gas savings, which accounts for 85% of the energy consumed in the Group’s plants.