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Six Sigma Quality Management

NLCT uses "Lean" and Design for Six Sigma quality system to achieve "speed and efficiency" in its R&D work.  Dr. Jane C. Li, who heads this effort at NL, is an expert in this field. She has more than 30 years of experience in American chemical and petroleum industries and is a certified Master Black Belt.  She worked at Exxon Chemical Co. as a manager and at UOP (Honeywell) as its director of statistical science center and technology director of Six Sigma.  She was credited with the successful implementation of Six Sigma throughout all aspects of Honeywell UOP, resulting in significant organized improvement and "bottom line" savings. Presently, she is the Vice President of NL Chemical Technology, Inc. 

A Brief Introduction of Six Sigma

In the last decade, Six Sigma quality management system has been implemented in most S&P 500 companies, as a management strategy focused on improving efficiency, decreasing cost, increasing speed to market, and improving product and process quality. Many companies have integrated Six Sigma into their company culture. In other words, it has become “a way of life” for conducting business and R&D. 

What is Six Sigma

  • A business vision that stands for world class quality

  • A methodology on reducing variation to attain Six Sigma goal (3.4 defects per million opportunities)

  • A management philosophy

  • A culture of a company, a common language within a corporation and among major international corporations

  • A customer centered, systematic and data driven approach with a set of best practice tools.

 

Why Six Sigma

  • It is an engine for profitable growth and sustainable competitive advantage

  • It brings a major “culture change” to the company in how innovation projects and portfolio are managed

  • It drives focused improvement in quality and productivity throughout the company

  • It delivers significant bottom line  

 

How Six Sigma is implemented

Lean Six Sigma principles

Lean Six Sigma provides an effective development, product, and service delivery system that maximizes the ability of the employee to add value. It 

  • Specifies value in the eyes of the customer

  • Identifies the value stream and eliminates waste

  • Makes value flow at the pull of the customer

  • Involves and empowers employees

  • Continuously improves in pursuit of perfection

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