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PRESS RELEASES
Kenworth’s Chillicothe, Ohio Plant Named Quality Magazine’s Large Plant of Year
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KIRKLAND, Wash., May 4, 2006 – Kenworth Truck Company’s plant in Chillicothe, Ohio, has been named Quality Magazine’s “Plant of the Year” in the large plant category of over 250 employees.
“Kenworth Truck Company is extremely pleased to receive this national recognition for the Kenworth-Chillicothe plant from Quality Magazine,” said Tony McQuary, Kenworth’s assistant general manager for operations. “Quality, pride and technology go into each Kenworth truck that rolls down the Chillicothe assembly line, and our vehicles are known throughout the industry for their durability, dependability and high resale value. This award is a tribute to our employees who work hard every day to produce the World’s Best trucks.”
Quality Magazine’s June issue cover story will feature the award-winning Kenworth-Chillicothe plant, which has produced over 270,000 trucks since it was opened in 1974. The plant produces Kenworth’s T600, T800, T2000 and W900 models and maintains ISO 9001:2000 quality certification.
Entries for Quality Magazine’s annual award came from industries as diverse as transportation, aerospace, defense, electronics, computers, metalworking and home building products. A review board of leading quality, manufacturing, and engineering experts evaluated all nominations for demonstration of world-class quality processes; application of new and existing technologies, equipment and services to improve manufacturing; successful teamwork between product design and manufacturing to ensure both quality product and production; and effective quality testing and verification, among other categories.
“Kenworth Truck Company and its plant in Chillicothe, Ohio, have applied world-class quality technology, equipment, services and techniques to improve productivity and cycle time, increase capacity, enhance adherence to quality standards, and reduce scrap, rework, warranty and manufacturing costs,” said Tom Williams, Quality Magazine publisher. “Their efforts are to be commended.”
Kenworth-Chillicothe uses innovative technologies, such as paperless build instructions, electronic data collection, digitally controlled tooling, and cab harness electrical tests, combined with extensive use of Six Sigma, high impact Kaizen events and other process improvements to help produce premium, high-quality trucks.
Kenworth's Chillicothe, Ohio plant has been named Quality Magazine's large plant of the year. Shown here are Kenworth-Chillicothe employees last year celebrating the historic production of the plant's 250,000th truck. The plant was opened in 1974.
“Our goal is simple: Produce the World’s Best trucks and satisfy customers,” said Scott Blue, Kenworth-Chillicothe plant manager. “Kenworth uses well-trained employees and leading-edge technology, production and logistics systems to build quality Kenworth trucks.”
It was the second major award for a Kenworth plant since fall of 2004 when Kenworth’s plant in Renton, Wash. was honored with ASSEMBLY Magazine’s inaugural “Assembly Plant of the Year Award”.
Kenworth’s quality products and dealer support have helped produce high customer satisfaction. Kenworth is the recipient of five 2005 J.D. Power and Associates awards for Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Over the Road Segment and Pickup and Delivery Segment Class 8 Trucks, Heavy Duty Dealer Service and also Conventional Medium Duty Truck Segment and Medium Duty Dealer Service*.
Quality Magazine is a monthly business publication serving the quality assurance and process improvement needs of more than 64,000 manufacturing professionals. The magazine reports on the use of sound metrology methods, statistical analysis and process improvement techniques to significantly improve quality on the shop floor and in manufacturing planning. Quality Magazine’s website is at www.qualitymag.com.
Kenworth Truck Company, a division of PACCAR Inc, is a leading manufacturer of heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth. The World's Best.
* J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Heavy Duty Truck Customer Satisfaction Study(SM). Study based on 2,429 responses from principal maintainers of heavy duty trucks who were surveyed in April-June 2005. 2005 Medium Duty Truck Customer Satisfaction Study(SM) based on responses from 1,809 owner/operators and fleet managers with Gross Vehicle Weight Class 5, 6 or 7 trucks surveyed in August and September of 2005. www.jdpower.com.
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