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McBain Instruments and VisiTech International Ltd. recently partnered to distribute three confocal microscopy systems. The distribution agreement will include three of VisiTech’s scanning systems: the VT-Infinity, a high-speed multi-point confocal module with adjustable pinholes capable of 800…
YESTech Inc. recently opened a new office in Singapore to provide sales, training and technical support to its growing Southeast Asia customer base. The office will provide training and sales for YESTech’s YTV Series of automated optical inspection systems and YTX Series of X-ray inspection systems…
The American Society for Quality and RABQSA International recently announced an agreement that recognizes ASQ-certified auditors as RABQSA provisional auditors, also. The agreement will allow ASQ-certified quality auditors (CQA) certified by RABQSA to be listed on RABQSA’s international register of…
An improved version of ISO/IEC 17799, which has become the e-commerce community’s international benchmark for information security management, was recently published. The new version broadens the standard’s definition of information security, providing best business practices, guidelines and…
The International Auditor and Training Certification Association recently changed its name to reflect new priorities. The organization is now called the International Personnel Certification Association, a name that reflects a new focus on personnel certification, according to company officials.…
Leading groups of international experts that develop standards for the International Organization for Standardization recently gathered in Geneva to discuss the efficiency and global relevance of ISO’s standards development system. Every working day, 10 or more ISO meetings took place in different…
The Standards Council of Canada recently approved an extension to the scope of TÜV America Inc.’s accreditation to include testing services for the safety of machinery. TÜV America’s scope is now among the most comprehensive, enabling the company to offer testing services for mechanical safety,…
SAI Global Ltd. recently acquired Easy i Holdings Ltd., a compliance training and awareness solutions company with operations in the United States and the United Kingdom. Ross Wraight, SAI Global CEO, says the acquisition is part of the company’s growth strategy and will allow it to expand into the…
Have you ever wondered how to demonstrate to a manager the rationale behind the ISO 9001 requirements for competence and training? It isn’t uncommon to find quality managers, consultants or auditors sputtering through an explanation of this requirement, trying to describe to others what seems…
SAI Global Ltd. recently acquired Easy i Holdings Ltd., a compliance training and awareness solutions company with operations in the United States and the United Kingdom. Ross Wraight, SAI Global CEO, says the acquisition is part of the company’s growth strategy and will allow it to expand into the…
In a wrap-up of the American Society for Quality’s World Conference for Quality and Improvement, ASQ officials reported the conference a big success.A total of 1,927 people attended the event, which was held in May in Seattle. ASQ reports that book sales increased 50 percent over last year and…
PQ Systems Inc. recently released an enhanced version of its GAGEpack EZ software that includes new measurement systems analysis and gage management capabilities. Other new features include maintenance scheduling, robust reporting features and user-selected sigma values for R&R percentages.…
Vision Engineering Ltd. is relocating to a manufacturing facility in New Milford, Connecticut, where it will offer higher quality and lean manufacturing of its microscopes and noncontact measuring equipment, company officials reported.Rick Coyle, Vision Engineering general manager, says that the…
A week after Leica Geosystems rejected its surprise acquisition offer, Hexagon Metrology has mounted an effort to buy all outstanding shares of the Swiss metrology company. Hexagon has offered Leica shareholders 440 Swiss Francs per share of Leica stock—a 21.23 percent…
Pilgrim Software Inc.’s Fusion 2005 User Conference will be held Nov. 6–9 at the Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina in Florida. Pilgrim expects the conference to be its largest yet. It will feature IT personnel, executives and Pilgrim users from all over the world to discuss best practices and…
Participants at the ISO 9001 & TQM International Conference and the Shanghai International Symposium on Quality proposed several ways that quality philosophies can adapt to the rapidly changing Asian social environment. The conferences were held simultaneously in Shanghai recently. Participants…
Companies are facing challenges in sustaining the energy and resources to continually benefit from Six Sigma. Black Belts face challenges in continuing to work on projects as these are becoming increasingly difficult to identify. Experts are talking about the ”Death of Six Sigma.“ Company…
Kanban, in its most simplifying role, is a visual signal (or cue) that something needs to be replenished. More specifically, lean manufacturers today use kanban to drive a process to make, move or buy the appropriate parts. Thus, kanban has become one of the fundamental building blocks of a pull (…
JLG Industries Inc. recently implemented a new strategic plan that diversifies its operations and increases the focus on its Six Sigma program. The company’s new vice president of Six Sigma quality processes and training is now John Louderback, who has been with the company since 1993, when he…
MoreSteam.com recently introduced an online design for Six Sigma training program that uses a video game to illustrate design techniques. MoreSteam.com’s DFSS simulation incorporates the Roller Coaster Tycoon computer video game as an engaging learning platform. The simulation includes rich voice…
PowerSteering Software Inc. and Computer Sciences Corp. have formed an alliance to offer a new line of Six Sigma and strategic program management services based on PowerSteering’s software. “Executives in charge of strategic initiatives are increasingly looking for solutions like Six Sigma that can…
A recently released book examines new insights and perspectives on how Six Sigma process management can be used to achieve business process leadership. What is Six Sigma Process Management? (McGraw-Hill, 2005) by Rowland Hayler and Michael Nichols, outlines the use of Six Sigma process management,…
Six Sigma Qualtec recently launched a new program for achieving its advanced Master Black Belt certification. The newly revised offering is designed tot meet the evolving needs of today’s businesses, placing a higher emphasis on meeting specific objectives, achieving dramatic improvements in…
In an effort to strengthen local support to its customers, ASI DataMyte Inc. recently opened a new Shanghai office and expanded its distribution network in Poland.TQMsoft, headquartered in Krakow, Poland, specializes in quality systems training and consulting, and produces overall quality solutions…
Overall company growth and the addition of a new sales and marketing staff have prompted American Systems Registrar to move into new headquarters recently.The registrar’s new address is 5989 Tahoe Drive, Ste. 120, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Richelle Kinzie, ASR president, reports that the company…