Mercedes -Benz UK
Automotive industry Quality Management and Business Process Improvement
Scenario and Challenges
When Daimler-Benz and Chrysler & Jeep merged their operations in 1999 they needed to rationalize their business processes for the larger and more complex organization to succeed. The UK board wanted to replace its internal quality management system and implement a process orientated approach supported by a Process Management Improvement System (PIMS). The objective was to empower line managers with the tools and knowledge needed to define and manage their processes independently.
Solution
They required an intranet-based system to capture the organizations business processes for ISO 9001:2000 accreditation and to allow all employees across the company to use the processes on a daily basis. They selected Nimbus control-ES (now called Nimbus Control) because it allowed immediate feedback to process owners on any issues concerning the quality and effectiveness of the companys processes for continual improvement and development.
Results
- Established a living process knowledge base
- Improved competitive advantage and customer service
- Continuous improvement programme in place under ISO 9001:2000
- Performance targets to be assigned to key processes
Relationship
Barry Peat, Process Audit Manager at Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd says: "Although we looked at several competing products, Control was the only one to offer the combination of both a quality management system and process mapping tool in a user friendly, graphical format accessible using web-based technology. Nimbus consultants were very helpful and committed to empowering us very quickly so we could run the system ourselves."
Future
Control is now embedded in the UK organization as the system used to drive quality management and business process improvement, with measureable results which drive sustainable competitive advantage and a delighted customer.
