10 Improvement

• General

• Nonconformity and Corrective Action

• Continual Improvement

General

Jemison Metals determines and selects opportunities for improvement in order to meet or enhance customer satisfaction. Some of the methods used for determination of opportunities include; key metrics, customer feedback, risk analysis, and top management discussions.

Nonconformity and Corrective Action

Jemison Metals has established a formalized system for implementing corrective action that addresses situations causing significant or potential nonconformances and/or internal or external customer dissatisfaction.  These nonconformities are investigated to determine the corrective actions required to prevent their recurrence.  The investigation process is dependent to a degree appropriate to the magnitude of problems and commensurate with cost and safety factors.  Changes resulting from corrective actions are recorded, reported to management, and incorporated into procedures, work instructions, and other documentation.

Corrective Action

The procedures for corrective action include:

• the effective handling of customer complaints and reports of product nonconformities

• investigation of the cause of nonconformities relating to product, process, and the Quality Management System, and recording the results of the investigation  

• determination of the corrective action needed to eliminate the cause of nonconformities;

• application of controls to ensure that corrective actions are taken and that they are effective.

Follow-up audits are conducted to assure corrective action is taken and effective.

Continual Improvement

The philosophy of continual improvement is ingrained in the culture at Jemison Metals.  The requirement for continual improvement is inherent in the Quality Policy. Appropriate continual improvement measures and methodologies are used.  This philosophy leads JM in its drive to become a world-class company.  This requirement does not replace the need for innovative improvements.  Cost elements are considered in the continual improvement system. 

Jemison Metals considers the results of analysis and evaluation, and the outputs from management review, to determine if there are needs or opportunities that shall be addressed as part of continual improvement.

Applicable Quality Management Procedures and Documents:

Ø   QMP 7.5        Documented Information

Ø   MOP 1           Management Review

Ø   QMP 9.2        Internal Audit

Ø   QMP 8.7        Control of Nonconforming Outputs

Ø   QMP 10.2       Nonconformity and Corrective Action

Revision History