Why your staff are key to product quality

Being awarded Investors in People Gold has empowered Sternfenster’s employees to pursue a perfection in all aspects of the business, according to Continuous Improvement Manager Rob McGinn .

When Sternfenster was awarded the Investors in People (IIP) Gold in November 2022, it was in recognition of its programme of continuous investment in its staff, with the explicit aim of improved products and services for its customers.

One department that has seen the positive effects of this strategy more than most is the Continuous Improvement department, led by Rob McGinn, who proactively looks at ways new efficiencies can be found, waste can be reduced, and the customer journey improved.

“We tend to look at three things really,” Rob says. “The effectiveness of the process, repeatability of the process, and efficiency.

“When we look at proactive improvements, waste is one of the first things we consider because this can have a big impact on so many areas of window and door production. So, while we look to reduce the cost of the process, we also look at it from a sustainability point of view, and how we can use raw materials more efficiently.”

Proactive

Rob explains that since Sternfenster started the IIP process, continuous improvement moved from being the responsibility of one department to being spread across the business with everyone getting involved in proactive quality control.

“It's about all departments creating their standard operating procedures to make sure they've documented their best practice, to audit those procedures, and make sure we're following them and really keep refining those things if we find something's gone a little bit awry,” Rob says.?

Rob points out that engaging all employees on the continuous improvement journey allows the trade fabricator to meet the needs of its customers more effectively, while delivering on promises.

For example, Sternfenster manufactures and supplies the Visofold 1000 Smarts Bi-fold to the trade, which is undergoing a design upgrade to include time-saving knock-in beads and co-extruded gaskets. The company also promises delivery to site in just five days – complete with the glazing, and other products, such as casement windows.

“Being awarded IIP Gold has had a real impact on our glass shop in particular,” Rob says. “We produce over 3,500 sealed units a week, which requires the latest machinery in top condition.

“By implementing a total preventative maintenance package, this helps us to improve and maintain product quality.”

Focused

Rob concludes that Sternfenster’s strength, following the IIP Gold award, is the positive engagement with all employees, with everyone focused on targets that benefit products and services, and ultimately the customer.

“Of course, colleagues are recognised and rewarded for their positive contribution, which underpins their motivation, their self-worth and job satisfaction,” Rob says.

“Setting clear standards and targets for all employees – not just operators on the shop floor, but right through to the managers – really helps people focus on what they should be doing on a daily basis, and that has been the biggest change that I've seen since we achieved Gold IIP.”