Quality Day: how Furlan improved mining machines and parts

Organizations across the world will hold a series of events to mark World Quality Day, celebrated today.

The date was established by the UN to show the importance of this attribute not only in products and services, but also in the prosperity of people and countries.

Productivity and competitiveness are often the result of quality practices in organizations.

Therefore, Máquinas Furlan decided to report seven practices that involve quality in its daily supply of equipment and parts for the mining industry.

See below.

1. Understanding what quality is in mining machines and parts

When we talk about "quality" in mining machinery and parts, a number of attributes come to mind. However, we need to identify which of these attributes need to be developed.

In the case of the Furlan team, quality means:

. Durability;

. Efficiency;

. Reduction of work stoppages.

. Innovation.

Based on this vision, Furlan equipment is designed to withstand the most adverse conditions found in mining and quarrying operations. Thus, it operates efficiently while maintaining productivity.

Setting goals does not mean “setting aside” projects. At Furlan, products and services are customized to meet the specific needs of each client.

The reports from these customers indicate that, by operating in this way since its founding in 1962, Furlan has created an innovative culture that has influenced the mining machinery and parts market.

2. Quality and people: going beyond products and services

When it set the second Thursday of November as the official date for the theme, the UN also reinforced that quality goes beyond products and services. Furlan invests in continuous improvements in customer service. Thus, its Technical Assistance, for example, has become a reference in generating customized solutions for mining and quarrying companies.

This progress occurred under the strict supervision of auditors. Since 2004, the company has held ISO 9001 certification. According to the Furlan team, the certification “reflects our commitment to quality in all aspects of our operations.”

3. DNPSA: a department to integrate service

One of the most advanced management techniques involves the exchange of information between the different departments of a company. In the case of Furlan, this resulted in the creation of the area called DNPSA.

The acronym stands for Development of New Products, Services and Applications, which works with the objective of guaranteeing quality support for customers in Brazil and abroad.

Therefore, service is not only provided by those who have direct contact with the customer, but by all company employees.

At the same time, the people management team continually develops the qualifications of its staff so that each one, in their activity, acts with the end customer in mind.

4. Internal actions: quality starts “at home”

Internally, Furlan maintains research and development laboratories with cutting-edge equipment. In these laboratories, new technologies are tested so that products are continually improved.

The Foundry is another example of investments in infrastructure and technology. The investments include a series of training sessions for the team, always focusing on the excellence of the parts supplied.

The actions of the Metallurgical Excellence program, developed by Furlan, are part of this vision.

5. Measuring quality: metrics for excellence

Furlan believes that measuring quality is essential to ensure the company's commitment to excellence.

The list of metrics includes productivity and plant downtime. But there is also monitoring of indicators such as customer satisfaction, part rejection rate and average response time of Technical Assistance.

This method reflects Furlan's commitment to maintaining the highest quality standards, both in its internal activities and in those that impact customers' plants.

6. Adding value through continuous improvement

All development has a goal. At Furlan, continuous improvement must add value in different ways.

Internally, the company invests in the sustainability of its operations, in workplace safety and in its commitment to the development of the local community.

The quality policy adds value not only to customers, but also to employees, shareholders and communities. Continuous improvement involves not only the management system, but also the solutions for mineral processing presented to the market.

7. Methodology comes from the Dom Cabral Foundation: a valuable partnership

This continuous development is only possible with the use of a globally recognized methodology.

Furlan has a partnership with Fundação Dom Cabral, one of the leading business schools in Brazil. This collaboration has been essential for improving management, with a focus on excellence in Furlan's processes. The partnership is based on the best global management practices, which are studied and applied in the company.

However, Furlan knows that the pursuit of excellence is an ongoing journey. That is why we are committed to maintaining the highest standards in everything we do. This includes coming here and sharing all of these practices.

May quality continue to inspire us, as well as our customers and the community, in the search for a better world.