Quality Management System in Ethiopian Food Procssing Industries A Case Study at D.H. Geda P.L.C. & Elfora Agro-Industries
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Date
2004-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Like most industries in Ethiopia, the food processing industries are suffering from quality
related problems. These problems include poor performance of products in the export market,
low quality and insufficient raw material supply, low product confidence due to lack of quality
assurance systems and increased pressure from high quality and competitive products in the
local market. The proposed solution is to implement a properly developed Quality Management
System (QMS) in the industry.
Based on the assessment of two cases in the food processing industries (D.H.GEDA &
ELFORA Agro-Industries) and other information, seven main components and three minor
elements have been identified for this QMS. The first deals with the role of managers and
owners, which includes leadership, decision-making and organization related to quality. Quality
issues related to raw material and inputs are addressed in the supplier-relationship. Quality
design is where customer based products are developed. Quality improvement is the general
approach that must be adopted to improve processes and product. Quality control activities are
carried out to minimize defect during processing. Quality assurance deals with meeting
internationally recognized system to assure product/process quality. To improve the QMS
quality review and audits are used. Although they are partially discussed in the main
components, elements such as quality manuals, cost of quality, and customers need more focus.
This QMS can alleviate a considerable proportion of problems in the industry. As the food
processing industry dominates the manufacturing industry, such exertion will have tremendous
impact on the overall performance of the economy.
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Industrial Engineering