Symetrics operates to the Quality Management System requirements of ISO 9001-2000 and AS9100B. Initial ISO certification was earned August 1998 from TUV-America and most recently in October 2006 chose to upgrade its QMS and passed its AS9100B certification audit. The Defense Contract Management Agency has recognized Symetrics for its high quality processes by certifying the corporation in the DCMA Alternate Release Program, which allows Symetrics to release shipments before obtaining a QAR signature. Additionally, Symetrics has been certified to and operates in accordance with MIL-Q-9858A and MIL-I-45208. The Quality Assurance Department operates as a separate entity, empowered with independent freedom of action, reporting directly to the Symetrics President. The Quality Director has the responsibility and authority to guarantee that Symetrics quality processes are efficiently administered and that customer requirements are consistently exceeded. The QA Department is staffed to provide surveillance and control at critical program points, beginning-to-end - from procurement of materials through shipment of end items.
Quality Reporting - Quality Metrics - Corrective/ Preventive Action - Failure Analysis - Continuous Improvement - Supplier Base Quality - Customer Satisfaction
Symetrics utilizes internally developed, custom-designed database applications to facilitate the generation of Quality Reports that include Charting, Custom Filtering by Job, Customer, Product…etc and a "Peeling Down " capability of trends and performance to the specific defect and component.
Real Time Manufacturing Performance data is entered immediately after the inspection by the Operators and is instantaneously available for analysis. Job Number, Serial Number, Qty Inspected vs. Quantity Rejected and full, user selected charting include Trend, Pareto, Yield and DPMO Analysis of the results provides near real-time access for immediate analysis as needed.
Status of Open Supplier and Internal Corrective/Preventive Action Reports (SCAR's, CAR's) are available, that details days open, days overdue, follow-up/verification due date…etc.
Production Tracking through the use of custom user-selection screens allows selections to sort by Customer, Product Line, Assembly, Process Step and Component. Our evolving, custom-designed, ERP Vantage System , provides instantaneous and accurate status of in-process product and locations.
Easy and open access on internal company Intranet and ease-of-use designs with intuitive menus, give access to relevant data and performance metrics, where they are needed and when they are needed.
With attention to customer-focused process management and continuous improvement, our Metrics Charting Capability gives us the ability to maintain the highest level of conformance to both internal and external expectations by providing us with the ability to detect problems at the earliest opportunity available and then implement effective corrective/preventative actions.
Symetrics utilizes internally developed, custom-designed database applications to facilitate the generation of both standard and fully customizable Quality Metrics and Charting.
Custom Filtering and a "Peeling Down" of trends and performance are available through a series of User-Select Screens.
Performance of Assembly Processes (SMT Assembly, Wave Solder Assembly, Hand Solder …etc) by Trends, Defects Per Million Opportunities (DPMO) and Pareto Charting of defects are available with break-out charting by Customer, Product Line and Process.
Test results and First Pass Yield Reports are available that include identification to specific Component Failure.
Incoming Inspection /Vendor Delivery Tracking/Charting by Component, Vendor, Category of defect is available.
Where warranted as a result of deficiencies found during the failure reporting, inspection of product or processes and internal auditing, corrective/ preventive actions are issued for resolution. Symetrics maintains an online internal Corrective Action Database that assigns responsibilities to an investigator for determining interim actions, the root cause, and permanent action needed to correct the deficiency. The Quality Assurance department reviews the database entries for completeness and determines if the actions are adequate. Once the corrective/ preventive action response has been accepted, the QA department follows through with the verification of the effectiveness of the actions taken.
Quality reporting (QOP-4.2.300) serves as the regular means of internal failure analysis reporting.
Failure reporting databases are maintained from critical test and inspection points. Statistical data from all the inspection and testing databases are reviewed on a daily basis by the QA department and formally monitored by the QIT (Quality Improvement Team) on a weekly basis. Data collected by QA in various databases is also made available to Symetrics Management by direct access to the reports generated.
The QIT reviews the past weeks data and compares the yields and trends against planned results. Actions necessary to correct deficiencies that are identified not meeting pre-established criteria are determined by the QIT. In the event of an accountable failure, the failure will be documented on a corrective action request and a formal investigation will be initiated.
At such time as the failure is identified, a determination will be made as to whether it is an isolated, random failure, or one which is traceable to a problem, and which may affect other assemblies. The cause of the failure, findings of the investigation, and corrective action taken will be recorded by the initiator and reviewed/ approved by the QIT.
When customers or representatives request a Failure Analysis Report for a test failure encountered during acceptance testing, the Test or Quality Assurance department will generate a report.
Symetrics, with its commitment to continuous improvement efforts, has developed and maintained processes and procedures which continually improve the effectiveness of the Quality Management System. Opportunities and priority for improvements of the quality system are identified by comparing the actual quality performance to the objectives defined in the actual quality policy and quality objectives. The actual quality performance is determined by analysis of customer satisfaction information, product and process conformity data, supplier performance data, internal audit results, and other data and information relevant to quality performance. Management review considers all relevant information and defines priorities for improving the quality system on an on-going basis. Informal reviews of the performance of the quality system are held periodically during Continuous Improvement meetings. Day to day opportunities and priorities for improvements are identified, documented and reported to management.
Symetrics and our suppliers work together providing a foundation for continuous improvement resulting in competitive pricing, quality products and on-time delivery.
Potential suppliers are considered based upon their capability to supply products meeting contract requirements, financial stability, competitive pricing and lead-time for delivery. Suppliers having an ISO certified quality system are given additional consideration. Selected suppliers are listed in our Supplier Profile Database.
Symetrics’ Supplier Performance Rating System is a critical component of our overall supplier management strategy. The intent of the rating system is to measure and provide accurate supplier performance information collected from receiving inspection, manufacturing and MRB.
Each quarter our suppliers receive a report card providing an overall performance score and individual performance ratings based on a weighted composite of five factors:
- Lot acceptance – weighted 25%
- Part acceptance – weighted 25%
- Floor rejections – weighted 15%
- On-time delivery – weighted 15%
- SCAR responsiveness – weighted 10%
- Customer Service - weighted 10%
The Supplier Performance Rating System benefits Symetrics as well as our suppliers in providing:
- Consistent method of rating suppliers
- Clearly stated performance expectations
- Improved communications
- Ability to improve Symetrics’ business relationship with our suppliers.
Symetrics has a 40 year history of being a team-conscious, employee-owned company focused on "open and honest" communications with their customers - without a large bureaucratic organization - to achieve issues resolution and complete customer satisfaction. Development and implementation of processes which obtain and evaluate information of customer satisfaction are used to determine the performance and improvements of the Quality Management System.