Volvo 2004 Annual Report Download - page 41

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39
uct development projects are permitted to
continue. Safety and environmental
requirements are included in the same
process.
At Group level, a Quality
Council coordinates the Volvo
Group’s quality activities.
The members consist of the
quality managers from each
business area. Chairman of
the Quality Council, Michel
Gigou is responsible for
quality issues within the
Group Executive Committee.
The Quality Council sup-
ports the Group Executive
Committee and the Board of
Directors in the review of quality
agendas. It serves as the advisory
body for quality issues of a Groupwide
nature.
Quality management system
Everyone in the organization is
responsible for daily quality work. Key
concepts are total quality and partic-
ipation through open dialog and dis-
tinct goals. Our leadership guidelines
emphasize that all employees should be
given all means needed to understand
the objectives and their role in achieving
them. Good insight into our customers’
operations is a key factor in maintaining
the requisite level of quality in products
and services.
Quality
organization
All units have quality managers and work
with a shared method for process
improvement and product development.
Gates and milestones specify require-
ments that must be fulfilled before prod-
QUALITY MEANS THAT
WE OFFER RELIABLE
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
All employees within the Volvo Group’s
production work in certified quality
management systems in accordance with
ISO 9001:2000.
Operational development
Several quality initiatives are underway
within the Group. Operational Develop-
ment (OD) is the process in use in most
units, currently involving more than
15,000 employees in Europe and North
America. With leaders’ improved ability to
communicate, all employees are made
aware of business conditions and each
individual can contribute to the devel-
opment of the operation.