26 September 2013

Report from the 2013 International Symposium on QFD

On September 4 - 13, 2013, the QFD enthusiasts from around the world gathered together in Santa Fe, New Mexico for the 19th International Symposium on QFD and Training. It was attended from as far as Brazil, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Sweden, Thailand, The Netherlands, Turkey, Canada and USA.

We learned the latest case studies and research, innovative new tools and applications, as well as the international trends. The face-to-face interactions were priceless even in this digital age. We made new friends, renewed old friendships, and learned from each other, getting inspired to do things even better at work and home with the help of QFD.

If you missed this year's event, we do hope you will join us next year (see below for 2014 Calls For Papers). Meanwhile, here are some of the highlights from the 2013 events:
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Akao Prize® is awarded to individuals who have made notable contribution to the dissemination and advancement of QFD for many years on the international level. The 2013 Akao Prize® was awarded to Sixten Schockert (GERMANY) and Yoshimichi Watanabe (JAPAN).
Recipients of this year's and past Akao Prize® at 2013 ISQFD
(Dr. Akao, front center, is flanked by this year's recipients)

Best Paper - SCG Chemicals, Thailand
Best Paper Award: "Quality Function Deployment for New Product Development: Transforming Waste to Worth" By Pattarit Sahasyodhin (SCG Chemicals); Kritaya Suparnpongs, QFD Black Belt® (Siam Cement Group); Paweena Lertchanyakul, QFD Green Belt® (SCG Chemicals), THAILAND.  




Best Presentation - Tamagawa University, Japan
Best Presentation Award: "A Study of Service Quality Improvement Using the Theories of Nonverbal Communication, FMEA and QFD" By Kazushi Nagai (Tamagawa University); Tadashi Ohfuji (Tamagawa University); Masamitsu Kiuchi, Ph.D. (Josai University), JAPAN. 



photo - 2013 QFD Black Belt<sup>®</sup> Graduates
2013 QFD Black Belt® Graduates
QFD Belts® Achievement: Once again, we salute those who rose to the challenge of earning the QFD Green Belt® and QFD Black Belt® in Santa Fe. Congratulations.





Dr. & Mrs. Akao
Dr. Yoji Akao, founder of QFD, remains just as enthusiastic about learning new case studies and students as he was nearly half a century ago when he began the research that led to the development of QFD.




Native American blessing
Native American Blessing. The QFD attendees were honored to receive this special blessing, performed by the tribal governor of Picuris Pueblo, one of the Eight Northern Pueblos in the Santa Fe region.


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Join us in 2014! 

2014 QFD Call For Papers








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