The importance of quality control

Quality control is essential to build a successful business. One that delivers products that meet or exceed customers’ expectations. It also forms the basis of an efficient business that minimizes waste and operates at high levels of productivity. A quality control system based on a recognized standard provides a strong foundation for achieving a wide range of marketing and operational benefits.

Competitiveness

The ability to offer customers quality products provides a strong competitive advantage. Quality helps you to win business from competitors who are not able to match your standards and gives you the opportunity to charge premium prices for a superior product. It can also open new business opportunities in market sectors where quality is critical.

Customer Loyalty

Providing the market with quality products helps to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. Satisfied customers have confidence that your products will continue to provide reliable performance in the future, and that increases the likelihood that they will buy from you again. Satisfied customers may also recommend your products to other companies, either directly or by providing testimonials that you can use in your marketing communications.

Reputation

Quality makes an important contribution to your company’s reputation, particularly with the growth of social media. Customers share their views on products and services on product review sites and social media, such as Facebook. Positive reviews and comments can reinforce your own marketing efforts, but quality problems can have a damaging effect on your reputation if the word spreads. A major quality issue, such as a product recall, may also attract media attention, causing further damage.

Compliance

Compliance with recognized quality standards may be essential for doing business with certain groups of customers. If you are part of a supply chain, for example, the lead manufacturer may impose consistent quality standards on all members of the chain. Some customers aim to reduce or eliminate the cost of inspecting incoming components or materials by insisting that their suppliers implement the same quality system. If you operate in a regulated sector, such as chemicals or food, you may have to comply with industry quality standards.

Costs

Quality control can help to reduce your production and product support costs. A quality control system helps to lower levels of waste and rework, cutting costs and improving productivity and production efficiency. Delivering quality products can also reduce the number of returns you have to handle or the cost of repairing or servicing products in the field.

Source: Chron

More information on quality control: SBE International

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