Three pillar model
Safe, reliable and efficient
How can we preserve knowledge, learn from mistakes and minimize risks? Quality management in research and development tackles those very questions. It is based on three pillars.
Quality management (QM) reduces errors in the individual work steps and makes the latter more efficient. With a minimum of necessary rules, QM in research and development (R&D) ensures that R&D work processes are safe, reliable and traceable.
That requires the engagement of all employees. They are the experts and only they can improve their own work processes and enable smooth collaboration with other R&D departments. As a QM department, we offer tools and procedures to support this joint approach.
Continuous improvement
New procedures or ideas from employees need to be integrated in existing processes or processes need to be launched from scratch. We provide the structures and standards to ensure that processes run smoothly and that the probability of errors is as low as possible. This means that new technologies or the creativity of our colleagues generate real added value for the company. Mistakes can happen. They are investigated and measures are established to prevent them occurring a second time and to increase efficiency. |
Process management
Do we all know what we have to do and how we should do it? What happens when colleagues retire? Do they take all their know-how with them? We preserve the knowledge that has been built up at KWS. We document it and make it available by defining the structures for that. We take feedback on board, identify and examine critical points and adapt the structures if necessary. We ensure that all processes comply with applicable laws, regulatory requirements and contracts. |
Risk minimization
Quality management is like an insurance policy for the company. If we comply with all standards, the risk of harm to our reputation or claims for damages is low. Errors, for example in labeling genetically modified seed or mixing it up with conventional seed, could cost KWS a lot of money. Errors in project work that could potentially result in a project having to be started all over again are minimized. |
QM is embedded in the KWS Group’s quality management. There are an incredibly large number of work processes in R&D. That means there’s a great need to create and adhere to precise rules: in the laboratories, at the breeding stations and in the greenhouses. If a mistake happens to be made, it is an opportunity to learn from it. “We want to establish a culture in which people are allowed to make errors. We look for the cause and take measures to ensure a mistake doesn’t happen a second time,” says Anja Kaczmarczyk, Head of Quality and Project Management at R&D.
One particular focus in the past was on processes involving genetically modified material. Due to the increasing complexity of R&D activities, the use of new breeding technologies (genome editing) and growing external requirements, it is necessary to extend the QM system to all R&D processes. “That’s why we’re setting up an integrated quality management system in R&D, a goal that was defined in the Strategic Planning for R&D,” adds Anja Kaczmarczyk. “R&D quality management is essentially based on three pillars – continuous improvement, process management and risk minimization – for which we are establishing appropriate rules.” |
Short profiles
The R&D Quality Management Team
The tasks are divided into three focal areas:
Hassan Ghareeb (laboratory): “I support our lab teams in making their processes more powerful, reliable and efficient. I’m currently involved in setting up a system for consistent documentation and management of KWS’ genetic sequences so that our products can be tracked.”
Ina Groeneveld (greenhouse): “More and more projects involve new crops and the handling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in greenhouses. Together with the greenhouse teams, I identify and assess risks and support the development of efficient and compliant service processes.”
Tim Iven (breeding): “In contrast to the few breeding stations with GMO activities to date, our extended QM approach is intended to cover the entire breeding process. Together with QM contact persons from selected breeding groups, I’m gradually rolling out our QM procedures in other breeding units.”
Info
Since 2013, KWS has been a member of the “Excellence Through Stewardship” (ETS) program, which is dedicated to ensuring the responsible use of genetically modified organisms throughout their lifecycle. After being audited, KWS is awarded a certificate that independently confirms it works in compliance with QM standards. KWS gained the ETS certificate for the first time in 2014 and has successfully completed all verification audits since then. In addition to this standard, KWS is also certified in accordance with ISO 9001 (quality management system), ISO 14001 (environmental management system) and others such as SeedGuard (seed treatment). |
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