An investigation into the source of quality failure in the beverages industry: A case of Delta Corporation

Abstract

This study was an investigation into the sources of quality failure in the Beverages industry, a case of Delta Beverages. This research was important to Delta Beverages as it was establishing the source of quality defects for Delta Beverages in the form of consumer complaints and product defects. This meant taking a more proactive role with regards to quality and ensuring that quality assurance was implemented to control losses due to non-quality. The objectives of the study were to establish whether materials used in Beverage manufacture is the source of quality defects. Investigate if machinery and maintenance is the source of quality defects for the beverages industry, establish the relationship between personnel, management and quality defects production, and establish the relationship between Quality systems, methods and quality defects. Methodology used in the study was quantitative approach that emphasises testing theories or concepts through variable metric measurement and performing data analysis procedure with statistical tools and aim to test the hypothesis. Structured questionnaires were used for the data collection where sampling technique used was stratum, in which respondents came from different departments of Delta Beverages. There was an 89% overall response rate Research results were presented, analysed, interpreted and discussed, data was presented using table, cross tabulations, bar graphs. Data analysis was done using SPSS Statistical processing for social science software. The research’s response rate was high and therefore the sample was a representative. My research showed that the Cronbach’s alpha for all the objectives Machinery, material, methods and manpower in relation to quality failure in the research study were ranging between 0.7 to 0.9 showing a strong relationship between the 6Ms and quality failure. Chi-Square and Cramer’s V Tests showed a strong relationship for production, engineering with regards to frequency of quality failure while a weak relationship for sales and procurement. Conclusions of the study was that the 6M thus material, machinery, man power and methods are indeed the source of quality failure Recommendations on material quality processing were that the quality and procurement department should carry out unannounced supplier quality surveillance audit. Machine recommendation was that the Engineering department must carry out effective maintenance scheduling and adherence tracking. Quality methods recommendations were alignment of sales department, engineering, packaging and procurements focus on customer feedback, bench marking with the best in class quality control at source implementation and evaluation in each department.