xxvii
Acknowledgments
No book is the result of one person. Many individuals both directly and indi-
rectly contribute in subtle ways that make the formal book worth printing.
This book is the result of many years contemplating what is necessary to
have a launch that is as awless as possible. Recognizing that nothing is per-
fect and that the unexpected always nds its way into any given situation, I
decided that I would try to identify the key indicators to guide an organiza-
tion through the cultural change that is necessary to pursue a way of life that
expects doing it right the rst time.
I concluded that this cultural change takes two parties. The rst one is the
customer, and the second one is the supplier. The more I looked at these two,
the more I realized I was not too far from the target of improvement. My
experience as an academician, trainer, and consultant over the last 35 years
guided me in the direction to pursue this endeavor. In the process, I met
many individuals I cannot possibly give credit to but for whom I am grateful
for their suggestions and discussions about the key indicators that make an
organization perform at a level that is indeed exceptional.
In addition to these silent names, there are also individuals who encour-
aged me to pursue the project, reviewed rough drafts, gave me advice, helped
me focus on the points of interest and content in individual chapters, and
helped with typing, printing, drawing graphs, software, and so on. High on
the list are the following:
ASME for giving me permission to reprint some of the symbols and de-
nitions from the ASME Y14.5 2009 standard. Specically, gures C.5, C.6,
and C.7. Special thanks also go to Ivette Estevez, CAP administrator, ASME,
for helping in the process of granting the permission.
G. Kontos, PhD; R. Munro, PhD; and J.J. Yu, PhD; for their relentless encour-
agement and support. They were always there to bounce thoughts, ideas,
and content. I appreciate their effort.
C. Stamatis and S. Stamatis, PhD, my sons, for helping with software and
computer work. I do not think that this book would have been completed
without their constant help—especially when problems arose due to power
failures.
K. Kukor (Freudenberg-NOK), E. Voskuhl (DANA), R. Horner (DANA), R.
Landreth (Stant), C. Sanchez (Federal Mogul), A. Barnett (Quantiles), J. Methot
(Methot Associates), S. Mitchell (SJM Associates), J. Lapolla (General Physics),
C. Cunitz (MPC), and K. Little (Bosch) for their advice on supplier issues/per-
spectives as well as ideas on specic content that makes suppliers more ef-
cient and effective in their roles to satisfy the customer.
E. Liasi, PhD (Ford), R. Jiang (Ford, China), J. Tassis (Ford), Y. Yin (Ford),
A. Katakis (GM), B. Mooridian (GM), J. Kapur, PhD (Six Sigma Solutions),
xxviii Acknowledgments
G. Polychronis (Chrysler), K. Shankar (Parker), M. Lutz (Kostal), A. Allen
(Weirton), M. Mihas (Chrysler), S. Gikas (Chrysler), N. Papazoglou (Chrysler),
and B. Anagnostou (GM) for their detailed suggestions and advice to make
the requirements of the original equipment manufacturers (customers) more
concise and easily understood.
G. Kissonergis (Process Product Consulting), N. Simons (Performance
Innovation), V. Simmers (Quality Performance), J. Worley (Worley Associates),
and A. Woodley (Woodley Consulting) for reviewing and recommending
suggestions to improve ow and content.
Whereas all their suggestions and advice were considered, the nal prod-
uct is the author’s responsibility. I have incorporated many of their ideas and
suggestions throughout the chapters.
I also thank the editors of the book for designing it in such a way that made
the nal product look professional and easier to read.
Furthermore, I thank all my clients (both original equipment manufactur-
ers and suppliers) that have given me the opportunity to learn from their
processes and transfer that learning into the ideas of this book.
My list would not be complete without recognizing the most important
supporter, editor, motivator, and life partner, my wife, Carla. As always, she
has been there to motivate me and encourage me to go on even at the lowest
points of my writing. Thank you so much, Carla Jeanne. Without you, this
project would not have been completed.
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