Quality assurance and Production are two functions that are naturally crucial to the success of Fresenius Medical Care. In many other companies these are often established as distinct entities that may not always share common goals. Fresenius Medical Care North America, though, does not separate the two, having forged instead an alliance between them to ensure best quality. Mike Saraceno, who is responsible for quality systems in Fresenius Medical Care’s North American operations: “The life and health of patients depend on the quality of our products, so we always have to get this factor right, even when we increase production numbers.”

With a market expectation of higher than average quality from Fresenius Medical Care and a position as “best cost” leader, the company has seen demand expand its volumes to the point where it became necessary to form a partnership between Quality and Production and thus combine common goals. Acceptance of a certain amount of rejected products was no longer affordable. Glenn Slater, responsible for manufacturing at Fresenius Medical Care North America, underlines the importance of the partnership: “Each of us knows that we can only reach our goal if we work together to accomplish it. Cooperation is the key and the partnership between Quality Assurance and Production has made it possible to achieve the highest degree of quality.”

The resulting quality programs have enabled the Company to reach Six Sigma levels of 3.4 defects per million opportunities. Management acknowledges that the implementation of these programs requires enormous effort and, where opportunities exist, a complete rethink of processes. Saraceno and Slater have taken advantage of the freedom to realign processes for maximum quality output and encouraged their employees to follow this practice.

The focus on quality has also been allied to a focus on environmental practices, with one goal being to use as little landfill as possible. At the plant in Utah, for example, the past two years have seen a reduction in hazardous substances of 84 % as well as a reduction of landfill waste of 66 %.

The entire organization of Fresenius Medical Care is based on the principle of common values. “This concept enables each of us to go beyond our achievements,” summarizes Saraceno. The results are endorsed by Slater: “I’ve never seen the quality that is produced at Fresenius Medical Care anywhere else and I’ve been working in the industry for 35 years.”

A dialyzer is born – Lean Six Sigma
is the magic formula for unmatched
quality in production.

Fresenius Medical Care dialyzers
go through a final check before shipping:
certified quality creates confidence.

Hand-tested:
production technicians
examine dialyzer parts.

Thanks to efficient production processes,
we are the cost leader. We have raised output while
simultaneously improving quality. At the same time,
we conserve global resources and reduce
the environmental impact.

– our contribution –

PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT
IN FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE’S
PRODUCTION PLANTS IN
OGDEN AND WALNUT CREEK
IN 2008

WATER CONSUMPTION
– 12 %

ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION
– 8.3 %

GAS CONSUMPTION
– 48 %

Further information on this topic can be found here.