In today’s advanced manufacturing landscape, quality management has evolved into a cornerstone of industrial success. Imagine an employee effortlessly accessing real-time quality data from production line sensors with just a few swipes on a handheld device. This seamless blend of cutting-edge technology and skilled human intervention is the hallmark of next-generation quality management, where data-driven insights and digital tools work in tandem to ensure superior products and services.
As digital transformation reshapes global industries, the role of quality management has shifted from being a mere compliance requirement to a pivotal driver of manufacturing excellence. In an increasingly competitive global market, quality is no longer just about meeting standards—it’s about exceeding them to propel the industry forward.
At the forefront of this quality revolution is Hexagon, which integrates sensor, software, and autonomous technologies to redefine industry standards. Our mission is to empower industries worldwide, particularly in the fast-growing ASEAN economies, by providing advanced quality management solutions that enhance global competitiveness.
The manufacturing quality imperative
To fully comprehend the significance of this mission, it’s important to examine our most recent “Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing 2024” study, carried out by ETQ, a division of Hexagon. This comprehensive survey, spanning 11 verticals, including heavy manufacturing, electronics, medical devices, and automotive, reveals daunting insights into the state of quality management worldwide.
The findings are perturbing: 73% of respondents experienced a product recall in the last five years, with 48% reporting an increase in recalls compared to five years ago. These statistics underscore a critical gap in quality management practices that needs urgent addressing.
The financial implications of these quality lapses are staggering. In the UK, 50% of respondents reported that rectifying their most recent product recall cost between £8 million and £39.9 million. Similar figures were reported in Germany and the US, highlighting the universal nature of this challenge.
Beyond financial losses, poor quality impacts brand reputation, delays product introductions, decreases customer satisfaction, and sometimes leads to plant shutdowns and layoffs. Quality is not just a manufacturing issue but a business-critical concern that affects the entire organization.
The ASEAN Opportunity
For ASEAN’s rapidly growing industrial sector, these global trends present both a challenge and an opportunity. As the region positions itself as a global manufacturing hub, embracing advanced quality management systems can provide a significant competitive edge.
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025 emphasizes the need for enhanced productivity to maintain the region’s economic competitiveness. Implementing smart quality management systems aligns perfectly with this goal, enabling manufacturers to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and deliver consistently high-quality products.
Embracing Quality: The Strategic Approach by Hexagon
Quality assurance at Hexagon involves the creation of a comprehensive, data-informed ecosystem that covers the total product lifespan. This is achieved by integrating ETQ’s Quality Management System with Hexagon’s sensor and software solutions, ensuring quality from the initial idea to the customer.
This integrated system enables manufacturers to prevent potential problems through AI-empowered risk management, boost supplier quality, and provide frontline staff with real-time data and artificial intelligence-aided tools.
The system also minimizes quality-associated costs through process automation and nurtures constant refinement by conducting thorough data analysis. This addresses critical industry issues, including supplier-triggered recalls and the growing utilization of electronic devices in plant floor quality management.
The road ahead for ASEAN
As manufacturers in ASEAN aim to amplify their international competitiveness, adopting Quality 4.0 principles becomes paramount. The region’s diverse manufacturing landscape – from Vietnam’s burgeoning electronics sector to Thailand’s automotive hub and Singapore’s high-tech industries – presents unique opportunities for quality-driven transformation.
By harnessing digital quality management solutions, ASEAN manufacturers can achieve and surpass global quality standards, positioning the region as a symbol of manufacturing excellence. As evidenced by our worldwide implementations, the advantages reach beyond mere quality improvements, encompassing heightened productivity, cost reductions, and increased adaptability in meeting market demands.
At Hexagon, we’re committed to partnering with the region’s industrial sector on this journey towards Quality 4.0. By combining our global expertise with local insights, we’re helping manufacturers across the region raise the bar for quality and redefine it entirely.
In short, as we navigate the fourth industrial revolution, quality management is the quintessential element that will determine the success of manufacturing enterprises.
Ultimately, for ASEAN’s industrial sector, embracing Quality 4.0 is not just about keeping pace with global standards – it’s about setting new benchmarks for manufacturing excellence in the digital age. With Hexagon’s innovative solutions, manufacturers are poised to turn quality from a compliance necessity into a powerful driver of competitive advantage.
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