This summer, the National Housing Quality (NHQ) Program began piloting its Manufacturers Training Certification Program with Dublin, Calif.-based manufacturer Simpson Strong-Tie. The NAHB Research Center established the NHQ Program in 1993 to disseminate information on quality management practices in the home building and remodeling industries and to foster their adoption. The program has gained national recognition as a leading advocate and resource for quality in residential construction.
Program requirements are based on a "plan-do-check-act" model and will address how Simpson manages the quality and effectiveness of its product training. NAHB Research Center staff will assess the training's effectiveness by interviewing previously trained personnel about installation procedures and by observing product installations.
Mike Moran, Simpson's national manager for builder programs, believes certifying the company's training systems will enhance its ongoing quality efforts.
"Manufacturers who are working to ensure that their products are being used properly on a consistent basis should participate in this program," says Dean Potter, director of quality programs at the NAHB Research Center. "At the same time, builders who are looking to construct the highest-quality homes should purchase materials from manufacturers who are striving to meet this goal. A quality assurance system that focuses on meeting customer expectations can then come full circle."
To learn more about the Manufacturers Training Certification Program, contact Dean Potter at 301-430-6267 or [email protected] or visit www.nahbrc.org/quality.
