QUALITY AT EVERY STAGE OF THE PROCESS

'MADE IN GERMANY' STILL HAS MAGICAL RING TO IT

A screen is technically extremely complex. High requirements in terms of material, construction and production must be met to ensure that it functions smoothly and safely for decades. This is why all development and production phases at markilux are certified according to the quality management standard DIN EN ISO 9001.

According to Michael Gerling, Director of Production and Technical Development at markilux, high quality requirements are the common thread in the production of awnings. "We started subjecting our products to strict quality criteria early on, even before German or European industry standards became the standard. We have since been certified to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015, the most important standard for quality management."

Perfection is essential to quality

An essential building block for this is the continuous improvement process, or CVP, because a product is constantly evolving. "The impetus for this is provided by end customers, specialist partners, the production departments and technical customer service," Gerling observes. "In construction and the individual production departments, we have regular meetings aimed at further perfecting our products and all processes in the company. This includes the feedback we receive from handling technical failures. CVP is thus the driving force to continuously further improve our own quality standards."

Stricter standards ensure safety

Quality management begins as early as the construction phase. There is regularly work cross-departmentally on new projects, always focusing on the highstoo technical standards lies. "Therefore, the entire construction process is standardized, from the moment of initial ideas, through design and prototyping to the testing of materials and functions." These high standards apply equally to the procurement of goods, according to the director. "That starts with the supplier's inspection of the material and continues with a thorough inspection of incoming goods. We set the tolerances for all the materials required for production.n fixed. With standardized test equipment, we test either defined samples or - if sensitive components are involved - the complete delivery. Materials that do not meet our technical requirements do not enter the production process!"

Michael Gerling.

Faster and more accurate through automation

According to Michael Gerling, quality management is also applied in the fully automated order process at markilux, in controls of the individual production stages, as well as in logistics. Production and inventory management are automated and interlinked. Small parts for mounting the screens are cut to size in electronically controlled buffermagazines stored so that specializedhonored employees have unlimited access to it. That ensures a lower error rate, as does going paperless in parts of production.

"We produce over 500 screens per day during the season, and always with the same high quality," says Gerling. "That requires a precise and fast supply of parts and components and well-oiled production processes. Automation is very useful in this regard! Even the cloths are therefore no longer produced by hand, but zhonor accurately cut with a laser or with ultrasonic technology." In the production phase, quality management includes additional goods checks, for example of materials specially coated to customer specifications. Before the screens are shipped, all technical functions are tested and all electronic components are tested according to the VDE standard monitored.

Caring is the basis for trust

Also for sending the ready-made products to its customers, markilux maintains high quality standards. For example, the products are packed in special, pre-formed cardboard packaging with protective mouldings. This prevents the products from shifting or being damaged during transport. In addition, particularly shock-resistant materials are used for safe shipment abroad. In addition, for economic and ecological reasons, the company ensures that reusable packaging is used as much as possible. and transport racks.

For the actual shipping, markilux works with regular partners. "It took some time before we found freight forwarders that met our expectations," Michael Gerling concludes. "Not everything goes quickly, but all the processes in the production and distribution chain simply have to be fulfilled optimally. That is part of the high level of quality typical of a branded product and the basis for a relationship of trust. with the customer."