The Challenges
- Scaling from small beginnings to big growth
- Accommodating high complexity projects
- Standardizing & automating quality processes
The Solution
JD Machine selected High QA 360 software as their all-in-one integrated quality management software solution.
Who is JD Machine?
Founded in 1979, JD Machine Corp, is a world-class manufacturer of high value machined parts, sheet metal components and complex assemblies. Utilizing advanced technologies, JD Machine achieves an amazingly high level of component parts throughput for medium- to high-complexity production runs. Serving the aerospace, defense, medical, energy and commercial industries their capabilities include precision CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, assembly testing and more. To learn more visit https://jdmachine.com.
From Small Beginnings to Big Job Shop
Nestled in the mountains of Ogden, Utah, JD Machine started with humble beginnings in 1979 as a mom & pop shop by J. Don Wardle and his wife in a 2,500 square foot room – a former poultry processing plant.
With only 1 manual mill and 1 lathe, Don got the business off the ground and established a customer base. His son, Matt Wardle, took over the ownership in 1992. Working together with his father, the transition from generation to generation went well.
”I’m a big believer in structure and utilizing tools, and that’s why we went looking for High QA’s software.
Matt Wardle, President & CEO, JD Machine Corp.
Big growth is not an easy task, however. Matt saw that the business needed to diversify into other industries to grow. He also felt strongly that implementing and utilizing key systems would be a critical aspect to accomplish scalable growth while maintaining the things that are important to customers – cost, quality, and delivery.
The Need for a Quality Management System (QMS)
A Quality Management System (QMS) was one of the first key systems JD Machine sought to put in place – primarily because of the Automotive work they had taken on and thus needed to satisfy the industry requirements that came with it.
Matt felt the shop needed to spend less time checking parts and more time making sure parts are efficiently run with high quality.
”High QA’s Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is really impressive!
Matt Wardle, President & CEO, JD Machine Corp.
As avid practitioners of Lean Principals, JD also wanted to keep overhead low. To meet such requirements of customer contracts, APQP, providing PPAPs, SPC, internal inspections etc. (while ensuring a high level of quality) it was decided that a QMS was the answer.
The search began for a system that could manage JD Machine’s manual inspection data collection. After thorough investigation, JD Machine selected High QA 360 software as their all-in-one integrated Quality Management Software.
In a very short time, High QA transformed JD Machine’s quality process.
JD Machine Today
Today, JD Machine Corp. employs over 180 people and occupies a 70,000 square ft facility – with room for expansion! As one of Utah’s 100 fastest growing companies, it is the esteemed recipient of awards from the Utah Manufacturer’s Association, National Tooling and Machining Association, the United States Small Business Association, NASA, Modern Machine Shop, and others.
To learn more, visit jdmachine.com.
”Quality Management Systems are just good business.
Matt Wardle, President & CEO, JD Machine Corp.
The Evolution of Quality for JD Machine
The Old Way
Without High QA 360 Software
- Quality Engineering (QE) created check sheets in Excel
- QE cleaned check sheets MANUALLY
- Check sheets filled out during manufacturing process
- Errors would populate in multiple locations
- Missing documentation
- Incomplete inspection reports
- Wasted time
- AS9102’s manually filled out
- Final inspection extremely time consuming
The New Way
With High QA 360 Software
- Structured
- Automated
- Centralized process
- Scalable
- No manual documentation
- No Excel!
- Identified process flow
- No bottlenecks
- Stores all quality plans, data, and reports in an integrated centralized database
- User-friendly reporting
- Meets AS9102 requirements
- Allows for higher throughput and better data internally & externally
- Accountability system
- Intelligent software
Listen to the On-Demand Webinar
as Matt Wardle Shares JD Machine’s Quality 4.0 Journey
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