A kaizen event is a cost-effective method for creating dramatic improvements in processes. Kaizen is a Japanese word that means “to make people’s jobs easier by taking them apart, studying them, and making improvements.”

(FDA: Silver Spring, Maryland) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the formation of a task force to develop recommendations for enhancing the transparency of the agency’s operations and decision-making process.

(ANSI: New York) -- June 9 marked the worldwide celebration of International Accreditation Day (IAD), an event launched in 2008 by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

(Werth Messtechnik: Old Saybrook, Connecticut) -- The Werth Inspector FQ is an extremely fast measuring machine with linear drives. Positioning speed is up to 1,000 meters/second with acceleration speed of 10 meters/second².

(LRQA: Houston) -- A leading online source of information, resources, and opinion on the specific issues that organizations are facing, www.businessassurance.com, has launched a 10-part audio and video podcast series, "Trust and Transparency." The s

The European Union is working to make products safer for consumers and manufacturers alike. Its new regulations concerning chemicals used in product makeup, REACH, will extend across the pond to affect chemical standards in the United States.

(Cargill: Washington, D.C.) -- U.S.

(Quality Digest: Chico, California) -- Nikon Corp. has announced an offer to purchase Belgium-based metrology company, Metris N.V., for €5.50 per share. This represents an 107-percent premium to Metris's closing price on NYSE Euronext Brussels as of May 26, 2009, according to Metris.

(Sensor Products: Madison, New Jersey) -- Sensor Products Inc. announces Pressurex Extreme Low, the newest addition to its tactile pressure-indicating sensor films. Pressurex Extreme Low characterizes contact surface pressure down to an extremely low 7.2 PSI (0.5 kg/cm²).

(ACSI: Ann Arbor, Michigan) -- The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) continues to climb, registering a second straight quarterly improvement after a period of decline preceding the recession.