The Shop Floor, Top Floor Talk Show: Casual Convos with Manufacturing Pros
Manufacturing leaders face daily challenges—from quality pressures to efficiency demands. This show brings real conversations from those who've solved these problems.
But behind every high-performing plant are leaders solving big problems with innovative strategies, transformative technologies, and counter-intuitive approaches that challenge the status quo.
In each episode, you'll hear candid conversations with manufacturing professionals sharing their unique perspectives on top-of-mind topics and actionable advice you can apply immediately.
Walk away with actionable ideas and new perspectives on continuous improvement, from people who truly understand your daily challenges.
The Shop Floor, Top Floor Talk Show: Casual Convos with Manufacturing Pros
The Value of Quality: Aligning Business and Quality Performance
Quality is often misunderstood. Many view quality control as a cost center, limited to inspections and reactive problem-solving. On this episode of the Shop Floor, Top Floor Talk Show, Mike Fank, quality manager at Wisconsin Metal Parts, challenges this narrow perspective with host Josh Santo. Mike argues for a broader view of quality, encompassing the entire organization, from the shop floor to the top floor.
Mike emphasizes that quality should be a way of operating, not just a set of tools. He encourages a proactive approach where production teams own quality and use data-driven methods to improve processes. This shift requires clear communication and shared goals between quality and production. Instead of focusing on checking boxes, quality professionals should strive to build a quality culture.
Mike highlights the importance of leadership support and continual improvement. He advocates for making quality easy and using tools like checklists to reinforce positive behaviors. By embracing these principles, organizations can transform quality from a burden into a driver of performance and a source of competitive advantage.
