Abstract
NHK Spring Co., Ltd. [NHK], which I belong to, produces key parts in many fields such as the automotive industry, home electrical appliances industry and PC hard disk, etc. Since entering NHK in 1987, I have been able to be involved with quality improvement activities in many fields such as car interior, furniture, home electrical appliances, and PC hard disk. In April 2001, NHK established the Statistical Quality Control [SQC] promotion project team (6-year project) at the head office. I was chosen as the project team's first member (2-year term), and I studied SQC at the QC basic course [BC] of Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers [JUSE]. In August 2002, I invented a quality improvement scenario "SOUTH-FLOW^[○!R]", which is useful for any In-process chronic defects extermination in the manufacturing industry. "SOUTH-FLOW^[○!R]" which consists of 11 steps to solve a quality problem is approved as a business model patent in Japan. I am introducing "SOUTH-FLOW^[○!R]", the development process, the characteristics, its application to business, its expansion and potential implementation issues. I would be honored if "SOUTH-FLOW^[○!R]" enhances your quality improvement activities.
