Bhopal: In his inaugural visit to BHEL Bhopal as Director of Engineering, Research & Development, S.M. Ramanathan underscored the critical need to embed quality as a fundamental culture across the organization. Addressing the two-day Quality Heads meet, he urged continuous engagement with customers, vendors, and employees during product design, advocating for the Poka-Yoke (mistake-proofing) system to ensure defect-free products.
Ramanathan stressed the importance of perpetual learning at all levels and enhanced operator training, along with proper on-site storage. He also recognized top units for their adoption of the ‘BHEL Quality and Maturity Model’ and ‘5-S’ methodology.
BHEL Bhopal Unit Head Pradeep Kumar Upadhyay welcomed the delegates, commending Ramanathan’s previous leadership in making both Trichy and Bhopal leading units. He emphasized that the meet should foster sharing of best practices among sister units to boost productivity and quality.
G.P. Baghel, General Manager (Quality), highlighted Bhopal’s quality initiatives, including enhanced testing facilities and continuous profile checks for defect-free manufacturing. D.C. Gupta, Head, Corporate Quality, outlined the Quality Roadmap for 2025-26, focusing on the Quality Health Index, revised quality models, root cause analysis, and Quality Circles. Thirty delegates from various BHEL units participated in the program.
