The employee owners of Windings, Inc. welcome Jim Gertsen, Director of Quality, to the organization. As Quality function leader, Jim will be instrumental in overseeing compliance with Windings’ Quality Management System and ensuring that employee commitment to a high standard of quality is met or exceeded at all times.
Jim comes to Windings with over 35 years of experience in quality, primarily in major Automotive, Aerospace, and commercial manufacturing companies. For the last 25 years, he’s held responsibility for the implementation of ISO-9000, AS-9100, TS-16949 along with other certification standards.
In 2010, Jim began implementation of the Shingo Prize Model for Operational Excellence program and led the implementation of many continuous improvement projects for his current employer. The Shingo Prize is a positive, behavioral-based approach designed to encourage employee involvement and participation in the implementation of process improvement techniques.
With Jim’s arrival, Windings launched a “World Class Manufacturing” approach known as Operational Excellence. “Operational Excellence is a quality culture-based program where problem solving, lean, teamwork and leadership behaviors result in the ongoing improvements to our organization.” Jim states.
The new process focuses on the customers’ needs and identifies ideal employee behaviors that are positive, empowered, and support a culture of continuous improvement. Jim said, “We have developed an implementation plan which includes a plan, roadmap, manual, and assessment system to achieve a sustainable world class organization.” Many of the techniques are based on the Shingo prize philosophy in which Jim has experience.
“We believe that the most successful companies are the ones who take a well-planned and organized approach to the implementation of continuous improvement methodologies and tools with equal focus on process, culture, and results.” Jim states.
About Windings, Inc.
Windings, Inc. is an employee-owned company headquartered in New Ulm, Minnesota. Founded in 1965, Windings provides engineered electromagnetic solutions, including custom rotor and stator components, motors, and generators, for critical applications in a variety of industries. Windings partners closely with clients throughout the product development process to provide tailored solutions that are optimized for performance and production. Learn more at dev.windings.com.