Singapore Government Press Release

Media Division, Ministry of Information & The Arts, #36-00, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963, Tel: 3757794/5

SPEECH BY RADM (NS) TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, AT THE OPENING OF THE 13TH INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION OF QC CIRCLES (IEQCC) ON WEDNESDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 1996, AT 9.00 AM, AT THE WESTIN, RAFFLES BALLROOM

QUALITY CIRCLES - THE KEY TO GREATER COMPETITIVENESS

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning. Let me extend a warm welcome to all of you to the 13th International Exposition of QC Circles, better known as IEQCC. I am pleased to know that we have more than 1,200 delegates participating in this year's IEQCC, some coming from as far as Norway and the United States. To all the foreign delegates, I wish you a pleasant and enjoyable stay in Singapore.

The QCC Movement

The QCC Movement in Singapore is 15 years old. To-date, some 140,000 workers or 9% of the Singapore workforce are involved in QCCs or Work Improvement Teams (WITs). This, I am told by the Productivity and Standards Board (PSB), is one of the highest participation rates in the world, if not the highest.

At the international level, PSB organises the IEQCC to promote the sharing of experiences among quality practitioners. Since its inception in 1984, more than 27,000 participants from 37 economies have participated in the IEQCC. This year, we would like to welcome first time participants from Hungary, Norway and Vietnam. This is a tremendous encouragement to us as it shows that management and workers all over the world are embracing the QCC Movement and share the same passion as ourselves. The world certainly has become a smaller place, and we should make use of the opportunity to share experiences and learn from each other.

QCC Movement in Singapore

The QCC Movement in Singapore has matured to a stage where companies are now willing to come forward and help others to set up QCCs. In response to requests from industries, PSB introduced a new initiative early this year - the QCC Coaching Scheme. This Scheme helps non-QCC companies to set up QCCs with experienced QCC organisations to coach them in setting up and operating QCCs. Another example of private sector involvement is the Singapore Association of QC Circles (SAQCC). The SAQCC was set up by PSB to tap private sector efforts to promote QCCs in Singapore. The Association organises workshops, factory visits and other educational activities to allow the sharing of knowledge as well as to network with fellow QCC activists. The Association also forms QCC Clubs for companies which are located near each other to develop common programmes to sustain interest in their QCCs and also provide many of the judges required to judge company QCC Conventions.

Another powerful instrument used to sustain QCCs is the national recognition given not only to companies, but also to circles, individual managers, facilitators and co-ordinators. This morning, some of these outstanding contributors will be receiving their awards.

Positioning of QCCs

Although we have made much progress in QCCs, this is not the time to rest on our laurels. Competition is becoming more intense, and higher productivity is the key to greater competitiveness. I am glad that the PSB is pushing for a 10% participation rate by the end of FY 1996. In line with the need to get more companies involved, PSB is recommending that we remove the world "Control" from "Quality Control Circles" and use the term "Quality Circles" instead. I concur with this decision. It is now timely for Singapore to drop the word "control" as, traditionally, the term "quality control" is associated with the manufacturing sector. As a result, many in the private sector tend to perceive that QCCs are more applicable in a manufacturing environment. However, our figures show otherwise. In fact, about 60% of the circles registered with PSB are from the public sector. The public sector, which is mainly service based, has 11,359 circles. The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) alone has the largest number of circles registered - 4,671 circles to be exact. Dropping the word "control" would mean that from now onwards, QCCs will be referred to as "Quality Circles" instead. We hope that this will result in a re-think by the private sector and encourage more service sector companies and others to respond to PSB's efforts to embrace Quality Circles as part of their business or quality plans.

QCC Achievements

Another trend we are seeing in Singapore is that Quality Circles are achieving higher levels of cost savings through their projects. I would like to highlight one example - Score Circle from the Housing and Development Board. The circle consists of 10 draughtsmen from the Architectural Department. Their project was to reduce the area of apron provided around multi-storey carparks. The apron is an area of hard surface meant for people to get to their vehicles in a carpark. The Score Circle found that more than 50% of the apron space provided in a carpark is used for the waste sump and drain line and not so much for people to get to their vehicles. By diverting the discharge pipes into the existing grease sumps located within the carpark, the circle managed to reduce 77% of the area required for apron in carparks, resulting in cost savings of some S$3.68 million per year. In recognition of this achievement, the circle will be receiving the Million Dollar Award this morning.

However, the benefits of Quality Circles go beyond dollars and cents. One often cited example locally is Brainstormer Circle of Toa Payoh Hospital. In the past, patients who required urine bags and drainage bottles had to lug them around whenever they leave their rooms. This was inconvenient and embarrassing. Brainstormer Circle solved the problem by designing a bag in which both the bottles and the urine bag could be contained. This simple solution not only enabled the patients to walk around freely without embarrassment, it also allowed them to use their hands for phone calls. This QC solution is simple in concept, but it shows what caring and sensitive staff we have in our hospitals, and their empathy with their patients. This solution has brought joy, dignity and greater freedom to the patients, something money cannot buy.

Organisational Support

Companies and organisations should also make QCs part and parcel of their business. One example is the POSBank, Singapore. In 1981, POSBank started its QC movement. The objective then was to encourage staff to take pride in working as a team and to streamline work and improve productivity. Today, POSBank has achieved a 100% participation rate with a total of 144 circles, involving some 1,200 staff. The involvement of the CEO and departmental heads ensures that its Quality Circle programmes are in line with the bank's mission and business policies. POSBank will receive the Outstanding QC Organisation Award.

Individual Support

The success of the Quality Circle Movement in Singapore is also due in no small measure to the strong support from individuals. These are the many QC activists and enthusiasts who have put in much time and effort in cultivating and sustaining Quality Circles over the years. One example is Mr Philip Lau from Philips Singapore (Tuner Factory). Mr Lau has since 1987 trained 14 leaders and 100 members and facilitated many circles. In addition, his involvement in Quality Circles extends beyond Singapore. His enthusiasm has spurred him to assist in the set-up of a QC Movement for his company's off-shore plant in Batam. I am pleased to note that Mr Lau will be receiving the Outstanding QC Manager Award today.

Conclusion

I have cited some examples of Outstanding Quality Circle Award winners. At this year's IEQCC, you will be seeing some of these circle projects being presented. I am sure that in your countries, such fine examples also exist. To meet the challenge of greater competition, we know that Quality Circles must become part and parcel of the work ethos of the future. Only then, can a self-sustaining Productivity Movement be maintained. Only then can organisations introduce more advanced and integrated Quality programmes at the workplace.

It is now my pleasure to declare the 13th International Exposition of Quality Control Circles open and to wish all of you a fruitful exchange and a "quality" stay in Singapore.