A challenge was posed to employees in 1989: Participate in Quality Control Groups. Be part of a participative management philosophy with the purpose of identifying, analyzing and solving situations, thus improving safety, working conditions and productivity. Participants received guidance and training for their work, learning to use certain tools to aid in the analysis and solution of problems.

The program, that follows guidelines and is managed by the Quality System, has been active in the company since 1989, and encourages the participation of all employees, promoting the creativity, innovation and potential of its participants. The QCG are voluntary groups that meet on a weekly basis, during working hours, to identify problems, improve processes, analyze situations and implement changes that result in gain for the people or for the company. The QCG`s projects are divided into two groups: Improvement and Project, and into four categories: Costs, Organization, Safety and Environment. More than 4000 improvements have been carried out to this day through 69 Groups, representing 25% of Fras-le`s employees.

5s

Fras-le`s goal with the 5S is to improve people’s quality of life by creating a healthy and friendly environment for all. This goal is achieved through some basic values such as respect for each person, teamwork, quality and excellence in work, responsibility, organization and effort, life defense and people’s satisfaction.

Kaizen

Since 1997, Fras-le has been focused on sharing knowledge and producing results through Kaizen. Kaizen is held for an entire week and includes the participation of all departments in the company. Concentrated in the production area, it is conducted by the industrial areas themselves. The participants of the group have autonomy to make changes in the flow of work, process, layout, set-up and others. At the end of the week, all results are presented to the people responsible for the system. The Kaizen Weeks boost interaction of participants with workmates from different areas, enabling them to learn new methods of work and tools of quality.

PGQP

Since 1993, Fras-le has participated in the “ PGQP” ( Productivity and Quality Program of the State of Rio Grande do Sul). During this period, the management system has been adjusted to the criteria of the award. Evidence of this is the achievement of the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond Trophies. A team was put together in 2002 to develop the practice: the PGQP/ NQP (National Quality Program), an Evaluation Team, sub-divided into groups per criterion, under the coordination of a manager nominated by the Board of Directors for this purpose. The team and groups are comprised of representatives from several areas of the company, who receive training in all assessment cycles of the PGPQ and NQP. These representatives also participate as appraisers and examiners at the PGQP, aiming to better prepare it. The identification of potential improvements in management practices and work standards takes place from the analysis of the feedback report, after which actions are proposed.
The proposals are presented to the management group and, if approved, they are included in the Action Plan.

PGQP Awards:

- RS Quality Award – Diamond Trophy (2005)
- RS Quality Award – Gold Trophy (2003)
- RS Quality Award – Silver Trophy (2001 e 2002)
- RS Quality Award - Bronze Trophy (1999 e 2000)

PNQ

A Fras-le busca o aperfeiçoamento em todas as áreas através da metodologia dos Critérios de Excelência utilizados pela FPNQ. Participando desde 1999, a Fras-le anualmente participa do Prêmio Nacional da Qualidade com objetivo de alinhar o modelo de gestão, utilizando-se dos relatórios de avaliação apresentados pelos examinadores da FPNQ e transformando cada oportunidade de melhoria em um desafio a ser vencido, tratando de melhorar ainda mais aqueles que já eram tidos como referências.