Paula Gilbo, Bomco’s new Quality Specialist, points out an area of a jet engine part requiring further inspection to Walter Fredrick, Quality manager. Paula replaces Carol Herrick and is responsible for material and process certification, updates of procedures, and quality audits.

Walter Fredrick, Quality manager, explains an inspection procedure to the Quality Control Department: from the left, Jay Albert, Inspector; Jim Knowlton, Inspector; Walter Fedrick; Art Hayford, Inspector; Paula Gilbo, Quality Specialist; Chris MacDonald (missing).

This enhanced “total immersion” program includes everyone in the company. “Our goal is to make every customer’s experience a positive one,” emphasizes Fredrick. “It starts with the receptionist who takes the first call from a customer and doesn’t end until our driver delivers the product.” In between, Bomco uses a myriad of controls and procedures to assure that every product specification is met. Fredrick explains, “We have to work hard to assure that every bit of paperwork is correct, that all the information is there when expected so we can seamlessly integrate our information system with our customers’ information systems.”

But the hardest specifications to meet are those unstated customer requirements, such as surface finish on a kidney dialysis pan or electron beam machine parts requiring better finish than specified. Through close customer contact, Bomco engineers know when to look beyond the specifications of the products and analyze their metallurgical properties and functionality. Only then can the engineers make precise adjustments to laser processing to eliminate microcracks and also control the depth of the recast laser, thereby reducing future problems. “It is our responsibility to know and understand all the specifications, stated and unstated, and apply them to the entire manufacturing process,” explains Fredrick. “We must produce only the highest quality parts at nominal dimensions so that wherever our parts are used, they function at optimum levels.”

In order to measure the success of this program, Bomco is implementing a new process to quantify customer satisfaction according to ISO standards. “All of our customers have their own systems for measuring our quality and on-time delivery,” explains Vice President, Mike McCarthy. “We combine these data to produce a customer satisfaction rating for both quality and on-time delivery.” In the third quarter (the first reporting period), Bomco was pleased to achieve a customer satisfaction rating of 95% for quality and 94% for on-time delivery. But as President Pete Banks is quick to point out, “measuring customer satisfaction isn’t enough... the name of the game is to get better all the time!”

QUALITY STATEMENT

Bomco Awarded Contract For Joint Strike Fighter

Pratt and Whitney has recently awarded Bomco a contract for the Strike Fighter JSF F135 Program. In the announcement of the contract, Pratt & Whitney said “We are tremendously excited to be the cutting edge of technology and look forward to working with you to develop and build the next generation of fighter aircraft that will be used for years to come.” At the present time, Bomco is finishing the tool design for an intricate engine component known as a “Bulge Seal.” Bomco is proud to be among the many suppliers to the Joint Strike Fighter Program and to contribute to the program goals of affordability, survivability, supportability, and lethal ability.