After eight years Faurecia in Dexter has raised its Ford Q1 flag again.
“This is eight years of really demonstrating a track record of excellence to get back this flag here,” said acting Cluster General Manager Frederic El-Ahdab. “That is evidence of a lot of hard work, a lot of commitment in terms of quality of service, quality of deliveries.”
Wednesday April 17 was a day of celebration at Faurecia. Music played as employees sat under tents in front of the facility eating. Ford representative Larry Champney was on hand to address the employees as well as present the plaque and blue Ford Q1 flag that flies in front of the facility.
“It (the Q1 celebration) is wonderful, because I have worked with this plant since 2007,” said Champney, “and they have always come through.”
“It's a great facility and it's all about the people,” continued Champney.
The Q1 Certification is awarded to Ford suppliers who achieve:
• Excellent scores for quality and shipping
• Your plant must get an endorsement of the STA and Ford Plants
• Q1 score above an 80 percent
Acting plant manger Carl Birchenough introduced the dignitaries and he addressed the employees.
“It (Q1) means two things, two important things, the first it is recognition of all the work you have all done in the past,” Birchenough said to the employees. “This is a symbol of all the efforts you have done. Congratulations it means a lot to me and to Mr. Champney.”
He continued, “More importantly it is a symbol of where we need to move forward.”
“How do we continually improve day to day?” Birchenough concluded, “We look at ourselves and we look at our colleagues and we keep the improvement going to make sure Dexter has a long, long successful future.”
“You have a very stable, caring, versatile workforce,” said Champney to the employees, “I have only known you since 2007.”
Champney continued, “This is a small community, and I understand these jobs feed families and is a really big part of this community. I really appreciate all the heart you guys put into these products and especially the quality. This is your celebration.”
As a combination of the plant manager, supervisor and hourly workers raised both the Faurecia and Q1 flags the employees clapped as watched the flags wave in the wind.
“It's a symbol for the future for Dexter,” said Birchenough after the ceremony, “how we can continue to be successful and make this plant what it used to be.”
“This flag should be a reminder every day of what we can do,” he continued, “and this is what we need to look at to make sure we achieve in the future.”
Acting Quality Manager Dustin Mason spoke after the celebration, “For the plant that (Q1 flag) is a lot of hard work and teamwork that went into that. We have a good group here at Dexter that all pulled together in order to be able to raise that flag and achieve the right things.”
“We have a lot of hard working people here,” said Mason, “people that have been here a long time in the plant. They all come in everyday and work hard and do the right thing.”
“There have been many hours put in, both regular time and overtime,” Mason said, “just to work hard and make sure we are meeting our commitment.”