ISO 9001:2000 requires that companies such as AFC continually improve customer satisfaction, product quality, process capability and supplier performance. Continual improvement is what keeps us competitive. AFC has recognized this for a long time. Over the years many changes have been made to the way we make our cables. We make them faster, lighter, cleaner and less expensive. The introduction of painted armor provided an innovative means for distributors, installers and inspectors to easily identify the conductors that make up our cables greatly reducing their costs.

Computer systems have been installed that manage the inventory, sales and distribution of our product. Many customers can access our databases, check on inventory levels and directly enter their orders into the system making AFC easy to do business with.

Most visible of the recent changes, perhaps, are all of the safety improvements that have been made in the factories. These changes reduce the chances of having an accident and make AFC a better place to work.

While improvements are taking place every day driven by every department, a new organization, Process Excellence, has been created to formally focus attention on improving all aspects of our business. Process Excellence, managed by Melissa Cara (Draper), is instituting Six Sigma, Lean Enterprise and Design for Six Sigma practices throughout AFC.

Six Sigma practices reduce variation in manufacturing and administrative processes. Lean Enterprise practices reduce waste and eliminate non-value added activities. Design for Six Sigma practices reduce scrap and rework problems in new product and process designs.

Many employees are already involved in a variety of projects and in the near future many more will have the opportunity to participate. With the changes resulting from these projects we can all look forward to an AFC that is more efficient and less wasteful and therefore more competitive and more profitable.