6 Sigma Quality

At MAC Bioceramics, we recognise that to be successful in a competitive world we need to satisfy the requirements of our customers, surgeons and patients every time. World class conformance to this objective is usually expressed statistically as "6 Sigma Quality".

We use a variety of tools and techniques aimed at achieving a "6 sigma quality" level. These include:

• Process capability studies
• Statistical process control (SPC) and data collection
• Process mapping and analysis
• Cycle time reduction
• Defect identification
• Failure and root cause analysis
• Design of experiments (DOE)
• Control charts and measurements

Companies like Motorola and General Electric, who have pioneered Kaizen and continuous improvement, have found that such techniques allow everyone in an organisation to constantly measure performance and benchmark with best practice. "What gets measured - gets improved".

Whilst many people in the bioceramics industry are still focussing on cost management, MAC Bioceramics is leading the way with a 6 Sigma Quality objective. We believe "Good enough is not enough". Examine these North American examples of 99.9% success and ask yourself the question "Is my ceramic supplier just good enough" ?

• 107 incorrect medical procedures performed each day
• 12 babies given to the wrong parents each day
• 2 plane landings unsafe at Chicago O'Hare each day
• 2,000,000 documents lost by the IRS this year
• 22,000 checks deducted from the wrong bank accounts in the next 60 minutes.