Quality Assurance Management

Through fostering a culture of quality from the customer's perspective, we aim to provide customers with products of appropriate quality and to continue to maintain a high level of "customer satisfaction" on a global basis with respect to meeting our established delivery deadlines and cost targets.

Quality-first manufacturing is NHK Spring's most important mission. In order to establish a quality assurance system that works around the world, the entire NHK Spring group is striving to obtain ISO9000 series and IATF16949 certifications. We strive to improve customer satisfaction through quality improvement activities at every stage of manufacturing.

In the development and design stages, we utilize and fully evaluate various preventive methods to produce high quality products. In the production preparation stage, we strive for a smooth and trouble-free start-up using the latest equipment and optimal production systems.

Moreover, we actively introduce new technologies and constantly pursue quality improvement. In addition, we conduct thorough quality evaluation and quality improvement from all angles, including FMEA, design review, quality confirmation at each process, and reliability testing, to ensure consistent quality assurance.

To achieve global improvement in customer satisfaction by competitive quality based on human resource development and fostering a quality culture.

Some examples of awards received from customers

Quality-first manufacturing is the most important mission of NHK Spring Group. We strive to improve customer satisfaction by managing quality at every stage of manufacturing.

Since 1965, we have been promoting QC circle activities in small groups using QC techniques as workplace improvement activities based on employee creativity and mutual development. We have continuously held QC circle conventions since the "First All-NHK QC Effectiveness Case Study Presentation Meeting" in 1966, and we changed the name  to the All-NHK Spring QC Circle Convention in 1978.

 Due to the spread of COVID-19, video review and online presentations were conducted in FY2020-FY2022. In FY2023, when the event was held in person for the first time in four years, a limit was placed on the number of participants.

QC circle activities are also actively conducted by Group companies. In Japan, regional competitions are held in two blocks (East and West) and a national competition is held for the top eight circles. Overseas, the NHK Spring Company-wide competition in Thailand and the national competition in China are very active, and the top QC circle in each country presents its results at the All-NHK Spring QC Circle Competition. Overseas QC circles are at such a high level that circles have won the top prize in the All-NHK Spring competition.

Although quality control tends to be associated with "quality control technologies for objects", we believe that "it is people who create quality". Therefore, in addition to providing regular training on quality control technologies, we also focus on training aimed at "raising consciousness for fostering a culture of quality”. Within our education system that is tailored to different categories of new hires, mid-level employees and managers/supervisors, emphasis is placed not only on quality control technologies but also an attitude of "listening to the voices of customers and supplying satisfactory products" from each standpoint.
Moreover, from the viewpoint of widening the range of knowledge, we are devoting resources to not only group education but also on-demand contents that can be viewed by anybody in any place.

(Quality control education for new recruits in 2023) 

The NHK Spring Group has established a quality assurance system at each production site and vigorously promotes quality control, audits, and improvement activities. In addition, our Quality Control Department regularly conducts independent audits at all domestic production sites. We implement a so-called "audit on auditing operations" to confirm that the systems and activities related to quality assurance are being properly implemented, and we conduct guidance to promptly rectify conditions if they are insufficient. 
Moreover, the Quality Control Department and CSR Department, which manages compliance, continuously implement activities to foster a group-wide quality culture. By implementing a number of such initiatives over and over again, NHK Spring Group has formed a strong group governance system that leads to appropriate quality manufacturing at all production sites.