Harris Teeter 1997 Annual Report Download - page 12

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Ruddick
RUDDICK CORPORATION
10
AND SUBSIDIARIES
American & Efird strives to become
even better for our customers by
aligning our sales, distribution and
manufacturing processes to meet
customer needs.
Customer Needs Drive
Manufacturing Processes
A&E has long focused our manufac-
turing processes on the quality factors
most important to thread buyers:
sewability, seam integrity and seam
appearance. Utilizing the tools of Total
Quality Management (TQM) and
statistical process control, we translat-
ed these customer-identified key
product characteristics into Key
Process Controls for our manufactur-
ing. This has allowed A&E to
produce higher quality products with
minimum variation and on target
with our customers’ needs. Our cus-
tomer opinion surveys rate us as the
best in the industry not only in
quality, but also in service.
International Expansion Meets
Changes in Industries We Serve
A&E’s theme, One World, One Team,
One Culture, underscores our consistent
standards for product quality and
service around the globe. Customers
can count on us for same day or
next day service to major sewing
centers worldwide from our strategi-
cally located sales and distribution
centers in the United States and
abroad.
During fiscal year 1997, A&E
purchased a controlling interest in
a modern thread-spinning facility
in China. A&E also opened two
new distribution centers in Mexico,
bringing our total to five in that nation.
In addition, we entered into a joint
venture for sales and distribution
in Honduras. Our expansion in Latin
America is driven by the continued
shift in apparel production from the
United States and Asia to Mexico and
the Caribbean Basin Initiative countries.
Dyeing and Finishing Plant Mt. Holly NC
Associates Mary Jane Kendrick (foreground) and Pamela L. Price take
pride in monitoring product quality and production order accuracy.
American & Efird