In my column last week, I asked, "Have you seen any egregious quality errors (please disguise the guilty)?"

Responses:

Woodyard equipment is being offered from Asia and India that claims chip quality that even with perfect wood is not achievable. Fortunately, their claims are recognized by mills and engineering companies. In developing nations, I assume that they are buying this junk. Kappa number and chemical testing and product tests are sometimes "dry labbed" but tests done on unrepresentative samples by poorly trained operators that don't know how the numbers will be used is as bad as falsifying data. Not by the operators, but the managers in charge.

I have seen basis weight and some quality test data misrepresented on containerboard. I have also seen instances of cheating and misrepresenting on ISO 9001 requirements - particularly in regard to the requirement to notify customers of significant manufacturing process or materials changes.

Next, I asked, "Do you have a personal quality plan for your work, no matter what it is?"

Responses:

Yes. If a client sends me data, I demand to know (and actually see) how samples were taken and tested. Millions can be spent based on bad data. That is a crime!

Yes, I make it a point to never compromise on quality or personal integrity. Decades ago, I resigned from a position because the employer insisted that I misrepresent quality data.

Finally, I asked, "In my own professional and personal purchasing experiences over the years I think quality is getting better in the things I buy."

100 percent chose the answer "Agree."

You may take this week's quiz here.