#United States #Manufacturing #San Clemente #Ease.io #Champions for Quality

Ease.io Celebrates Champions for Quality in Manufacturing Industry

On April 8, 2025, Ease.io, a leader in audit and inspection software for the manufacturing sector, proudly announced the winners of its seventh annual Champions for Quality Awards. This esteemed awards program is dedicated to recognizing individuals, teams, and companies who significantly advance the standards of quality in manufacturing, even amidst the challenges of an evolving industry landscape marked by labor shortages.

As the manufacturing industry continues to face unique challenges, the Champions for Quality Awards bring recognition to those who have displayed exemplary leadership and commitment to operational excellence. Eric Stoop, CEO of Ease.io, noted, "These awards honor the remarkable dedication and ingenuity of manufacturing professionals who continue to push the envelope of quality excellence." The winners hail from diverse sectors, including automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, and chemicals, showcasing a truly global representation.

This year’s awards program featured several categories, including Leadership, Ambassador, Trailblazer, Influencer, and a new category called Promising Newcomer. Notably, the winners were determined based on public nominations as well as entries from Ease.io customers and partners, emphasizing broad industry participation.

Award Highlights

• - Leadership: Recognizing executives who serve as advocates for departmental quality initiatives, the award went to Erik Lippert from Toyota Boshoku Canada Inc. in Elmira, Ontario, Canada, with an honorable mention for Gary Poole of OPmobility in Windsor, Ontario.
• - Ambassador: Celebrating professionals committed to fostering a culture of quality, Brian Csikos from First Brands Group in Rochester Hills, Michigan, took home the award, with Jessica Gibson from Ingevity in Covington, Virginia, receiving an honorable mention.
• - Trailblazer: This category highlights users of the Ease.io platform innovative for their use in various quality programs. Ardiana Lelcaj from Magna Seating was awarded, while Markus H. Jones from Knauf Insulation and Nigel Gill from Ricor received honorable mentions.
• - Influencer: Awarded to those who effectively engage their peers in quality initiatives, Lerato Makhubela from PPG Coating Services in Johannesburg, South Africa, emerged as the winner, with Donnie Thysell from American Woodmark in Riverside, California, receiving an honorable mention.
• - Promising Newcomer: This category sought to spotlight early-career individuals demonstrating exceptional potential in quality leadership. Tej Aujla from OPmobility was recognized, alongside Ankita Shah from Gujarat Guardian Limited in India.

Achievements Based on EASE Data

Awards were also presented based on metrics from the Ease.io platform, including:

• - Plant of the Year: The American Woodmark – South Branch Plant in Moorefield, West Virginia, was awarded for its outstanding audit performance. Dana in Zaragoza, Spain, received an honorable mention.
• - Auditor of the Year: This award went to Frank Grogg from MRP Solutions, recognized for his exceptional audit completion rates, while other auditors were commended as well.
• - Best Implementation: The award recognized the Stabilus teams from multiple locations, including Busan, Korea, and Changzhou, China, for their engagement during the implementation of Ease.io.
• - Quality Transformation: Yanfeng’s automobile interiors division was acknowledged for significant performance improvements, while Panasonic Automotive Systems also received a commendation.

In conjunction with the awards, Ease.io announced a donation to the SAE Foundation, which supports STEM education programs for children, further reinforcing the company's commitment to nurturing future talents for the industry.

As the ceremony concluded, Ease.io congratulated all winners and applauded the collective pursuit of quality excellence across the manufacturing sector, ensuring that standards continue to rise amidst evolving challenges. For more information about Ease.io and their initiatives, visit their website at ease.io.