The Longview, WA facility of Newark Paperboard Products produces paperboard tubes that are used for applications such as paper mill winder cores, tubes used in a varie

When it comes to feeding cats and dogs, The Iams Company is serious about quality.

The worldwide leader in premium pet foods uses statistical process control (SPC) and continuous process improvement at every stage of its production operation. "Our quality system is developed around the whole production cycle," says Dave Bechtel, Iams director of worldwide quality. "It entails every phase of the manufacturing process: from development to procurement to manufacturing to shipping and distribution to customer follow-up."

Statistical process control is a necessary part of modern food processing. The software chosen to satisfy basic food processing SPC needs will determine whether SPC is an awkward, intrusive task or a smoothly operating part of the process. It must not only collect quality data and produce control charts, but also provide those additional capabilities and analysis which make it the core of a well run and effective quality and process management system.

The delivery of water to consumers is heavily regulated and safety is all-important. Instances of breaches or accidents leading to poor quality or, worse, contamination of supply become high-profile media stories and dent consumer confidence in a product that is the most basic of commodities. At Three Valleys Water, the quality of water is monitored through a variety of tests using NWA Quality Analyst^®.