Total Quality in Rolls-Royce plc

In the late 1980s, a series of Total Quality initiatives was launched within Rolls-Royce which were to change fundamentally the way in which its business was carried out. The Supply Group, which is responsible for parts manufacture, was the first area within Rolls-Royce to begin its own Total Quality programme. This began in 1987 and used Manufacturing Systems Engineering Task Forces to identify improvements in the way parts were manufactured. The Total Quality programmes carried out so far have been independent and have now moved over to the non-manufacturing side as well. This article considers the Total Quality initiatives in the Military Engine Business (MEB) of Rolls-Royce, although many of the reasons behind their introduction are common throughout the whole company.