OREANDA-NEWS. April 27, 2011. The metallurgical unit of KAMAZ held a conference on the theme "Quality of products delivered to KAMAZ-Metallurgy OJSC in 2010”.

The meeting brought together about 40 participants; half of them were the Russian suppliers of major strategic and accessory materials for the foundry and the forge plant of KAMAZ. The conference was held under the slogan "Partnership for the Sake of Quality".

To date, about 80% of products made by KAMAZ-Metallurgy OJSC is delivered to KAMAZ and its joint production enterprises. In order to meet its partners’ high standards, the metallurgical unit pays great attention to product quality. Cooperation with suppliers is not by chance the key to KAMAZ metallurgists’ successful activity: all manufacturers know that the quality of finished products depends on the quality of delivered materials.

In 2011, KAMAZ-Metallurgy OJSC intends to significantly reduce the number of defective technological materials it purchases. The present meeting can be considered as an important step to achieve this goal and improve product competitiveness.

During the event, the participants not only discussed problems concerning the quality of supplied materials, but also tried to find solutions to them. The KAMAZ experts shared their best practice in implementation of an 8D problem solving technique and Lean-management tools. Reports at the plenary meeting, visits to the foundry and the forge plant gradually passed into a discussion and a questions and answers session. According to one of the conferees – Eugeniy Bechtgold, Project Manager of Uralchimplast-Kavenaghi (Nizhny Tagil), KAMAZ raises a standard for suppliers; and if new requirements have been established for suppliers of goods, they must meet them.

During the meeting, the best suppliers 2010 were awarded diplomas "For achievements in product quality" and honorary titles "Reliable supplier". The leading partners of the foundry and the forge plant of KAMAZ are VMZ Krasny Oktyabr CJSC, Magnezit Group Ltd, Uralchimplast-Kavenaghi, P.S.C "Chemical plant of name L.Karpov", etc.

At the end of the conference, a unanimous decision was taken to hold such meetings annually. It is planned to organize meetings in other cities too and invite more participants there.