From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Quality control procedures and responsibilities for the American Company at Springfield.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 29\2\ Scan062 | |
| Date | 1st November 1922 guessed | |
| - 2 - matter of fact such a department appears to already be in existence at Springfield. b/- This department would be responsible for supplying the information called for under heading (1) which is absolutely essential if Mr Royce is to exercise any control or supervision at all over the affairs of the American Company. (3) Control of quality. It was not considered practicable that the Chief Tester of R.R. Inc., could also act as an official for R.R. England, to ensure the quality of the cars being maintained, as we understand is laid down in the agreement between the two Companies, for the following reasons:- (a) He is an official of the American Co, and paid by them. (b) His own commitments as Chief Tester would absorb all his energies. In this connection it was felt that there were only two possible alternatives, as outlined in paragraphs c and D below;- c/- A man of suitable experience with ample authority should be maintained at Springfield by the English Company, who would make it his sole business to see that the detail work, as well as the final product, are both fully kept up to English standards. He would have a kind of roving commission so that he could examine the parts during the process of manufacture as well as the finished chassis. This official would be authorised to sign standardisation sheets in order that he might be a check that nothing shall be introduced at Springfield without a standardisation sheet, but our proposals contained in our memo hold very definitely Springfield ultimately responsible for variations from standard. d/- The only other alternative which it appears to us is practicable is for the English Company to drop all attempt to control the quality of the American Company's output by means of an official from the English Company and to make Springfield entirely responsible for maintaining the quality of their output up to English standards. contd. | ||