Time for action: Wolters Europe successfully guided to IATF 16949 by Symbol

Automotive, impact on the organization

Mike Loesman (QA Manager) and Frank Groeneveld (Process & QHSE Manager) say, “Automotive is plus-minus twenty percent of our business, but it is an area that has a huge impact on our organization because of the requirements and regulations. This also has advantages for our other sectors. Because we have to meet high requirements for automotive, we pull our entire business to a higher level. That is also one of the reasons why we asked Symbol to guide us through the transition to IATF 16949. It just had to be done right.”

From GAP analysis to project team

On top of that, Wolters has been experiencing rapid growth for years and had to contend with staff changes during the period of transition – in late 2016. Together with the introduction of the new IATF standard, this created a lot of pressure. “Then it’s nice to be able to fall back on a party with expertise. Symbol, in other words,” the gentlemen tell us. “We started the process with a GAP analysis, to get clear on what things were already in place and what things were not yet in place. On that basis, we drew up an action plan and a schedule. We then organized larger and more complex actions (six in total) into project teams. These teams worked on their actions under Symbol’s guidance.”

Nice steps forward

The great advantage of working with project teams is that employees themselves learn to understand what is required of them from the IATF standard. Loesman: “A good example is our purchasing department. The GAP analysis showed that we still had to catch up in the area of risk assessment, an important point within the IATF. The IATF contained many more requirements than we were already familiar with. Awareness therefore had to be created regarding the risks we run when we purchase products. The department has made considerable strides in meeting all the requirements.” Groeneveld also has a good example. “The GAP analysis showed that we could make much more use of IT support. That was something that many people simply did not consider. Since then, we have made great strides forward. For example, we now get much more analysis from our Overall Equipment Effectiveness, think about which machines have the most downtime or which machines could produce even more effectively.”

Awareness and cooperation

Awareness, according to the gentlemen, is one of the most important results from the process with Symbol, in addition, of course, to the joyous fact that Wolters has achieved IATF certification. “The intensive process with Symbol has created much more support and insight. Our organization has become more aware that quality is carried by all departments, not just the QA department. It is now crystal clear from whom what is expected. There is much more mutual understanding, and that is much more pleasant. Another positive result is the way we now communicate with each other. Before, everyone was busy with his or her own work. The most common argument was “I don’t have time”. But when you’re sitting down with an outside party, you have to. There is no way out and besides: strange eyes compel. This has now created a new way of working, with much more proactive collaboration and consultation. That’s really a positive change.”

Motivate and inspire

“The working method of our Symbol advisor Joost de Vries has really determined the success for us,” the gentlemen continue. “Besides having the right knowledge, he knows exactly how to motivate and inspire people. He can also communicate at different levels, from management to shop floor. As a result, we were able to involve everyone and got a lot done in a short period of time. It is certain that without Symbol’s help we would never have achieved IATF certification so quickly.”

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