The National Institute of Quality & Reliability (NIQR) has once again reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing India’s manufacturing excellence with its recently concluded Quality Awareness Programme for Shop Floor Employees.
As India solidifies its position as a global manufacturing hub, this initiative is a timely step in equipping the backbone of the industry—shopfloor operatives—with the skills and mindset necessary to meet the precise Quality, Cost, and Delivery standards demanded by multinational corporations.
Quality Revolution Begins At The Shop Floor
Recognising that true quality transformation must start at the grassroots, NIQR has been pioneering skill development among shopfloor operatives for over three decades. The two-day programme, held in Chennai, brought together over 270 participants from 55 companies, underscoring the sector's growing focus on integrating employees into the quality journey.
Inaugurating the event, S Murali Shankar, National President of NIQR, emphasised the importance of employee involvement, stating, “The quality revolution must begin at the ground level, empowering shopfloor operatives with the tools and knowledge to drive meaningful change.”
Reiterating the need for continuous evolution, Murali Shankar reflected on the evolution of the programme since the 1980s and its critical role in fostering problem-solving skills among operatives.
Dr V Swaminathan, Programme Director and Senior VP of NIQR, shared that over 14,000 operatives from 150 organisations have benefited from NIQR’s Quality Awareness Programmes over the years. The curriculum draws inspiration from Japanese methodologies to align Indian manufacturing with global standards.
The comprehensive syllabus covers topics critical for today’s manufacturing landscape, including Industry 4.0, ISO Standards, Workplace Management (5S), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Lean Six Sigma, Quality Circle Awareness, Problem-Solving Methodologies, Kaizen, and Collaboration.
Commitment To Excellence Highlighted At Valedictory
The valedictory session was a fitting conclusion to the event, featuring insights from industry veterans and academics. P Kaniappan, Managing Director of ZF Commercial Vehicle Control Systems India, highlighted discipline as the cornerstone of reliability, a value upheld by global manufacturing leaders.
Dr N Ravichandran, Chief Mentor at UCAL Fuel Systems, delivered a keynote address, urging participants to focus on the “6Ps” of manufacturing success—People, Product, Process, Profit, Progress, and Prosperity. Drawing from India’s rich 5,000-year legacy, he encouraged attendees to dream big, remain disciplined, and embrace passion and conviction as tools for achieving excellence.
Prof Dr D Viswanathan, Rector (R&D) at Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, reminded participants of their commitment to the nation, positioning quality as both a professional and patriotic responsibility.
Driving A Future Of Quality-First Manufacturing
As the Indian manufacturing sector continues to attract global recognition, programmes like NIQR’s Quality Awareness Programme serve as a beacon for the future. By fostering a culture of quality, problem-solving, and continuous learning on the shopfloor, NIQR is laying the foundation for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
With its legacy of training and an unwavering focus on grassroots empowerment, NIQR is not only enhancing the skills of today’s workforce but also inspiring a quality-first mindset that will shape the future of Indian manufacturing. As Dr Ravichandran aptly stated, “If your product is excellent, customers will automatically come to you.” This mantra encapsulates the spirit of NIQR’s mission—driving excellence, innovation, and growth from the shop floor up.
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