How Wabtec Leverages New Product Introduction (NPI) to Ensure On-Time, High-Quality Delivery and Reduce Quality Costs

Wabtec manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling,
and energy generation industries.

In 2010, the company began to experience significant quality issues and product failures that were chronic and cost upwards of $100 million per year. They had no insight into why they were happening or a plan to prevent them.

The organization had a host of quality management systems (QMS) — 30 different tools in more than 60 locations — that ran the gamut from spreadsheets to databases to old mainframe applications.

In addition, the sheer volume and range of components the company manufactures made it critical to ensure product quality from the beginning of the new product development process. 

Download this case study to learn how Wabtec accelerated its new product introduction cycle times using their QMS.