A chain is a fascinating thing. Look up the definition. I have seen it explained as "a series of things depending on each other, as if linked together." Most people at first thought will visualize iron rings, physically linked through each other, stretching from one point to another. The linkage is strong, dependable and permanent. But is this idea true? What of the saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Hidden in that vision of strength, a weakness may exist, unknown until challenged.

At a crucial time this vision of strength may break, resulting in the destruction of the linkage. It is interesting that the single weakness is able to produce a failure of the entire interdependent system. The result is a system unable to provide strength, and a system that is no longer dependable. All of this failure is traced back to a single weakness within the chain.

A chain may come in many different forms. There is the chain of command, allowing teams to work together under a hierarchy of leadership roles. There is also a chain of events, where one occurrence leads to another, then another, until a final, perhaps even unforeseen outcome results from the series of interdependent events. Then there is what we consider to be the most important chain of all. At least it is to Tekmos, and to our customers. This is the production chain. The series of companies that work together, each dependent on the other, to provide the product our customers' trust us to deliver.

Recently, I took the opportunity to visit links in our production chain. I visited i2a Technologies and Pantronix Corporation, each in California. The visit was not to audit, or inspect. The visit was to say hello, and how can we work better together. While I always learn something when I visit another company, from the way the teams organize themselves, to the quality standards, and all of the other intrinsic processes that build these organizations. There is one important constant I try and never forget. The constant is that companies are made up of people. And the better that people from different companies get along and work together, the stronger the relationship becomes. In this day of emails, and texts and with the avalanche of electronic gadgetry, the simple cup of coffee, with the off the cuff conversation of current events and where do you find the best steak, is easy to overlook and lose. To have a strong chain, you need strong relationships with people.

At Tekmos we understand the theory of the chain. We understand its strength and its potential weakness. We work to build our production chain, not just with processes, but with one hello and one friendly visit at a time. A strong supply chain creates a trusted product. And a trusted product is what our customers demand, and what they deserve.

 For more information visit The Quality Corner or contact Jon Gehm, Director of Operations in our main office at 512-342-9871