Regular product audits at the mills are one of UPM Plywood’s internal quality standards, which defines how product quality is verified and where areas for improvement are identified. The audits assess production practices against established guidelines and customer requirements. The goal is to ensure that WISA products meet today’s standards and continue to do so in the future.
“The audits serve three main purposes: quality control, development and knowledge sharing. They help ensure that our products are consistent across the mills and meet customer expectations,” says Pekka Kautonen, who is responsible for continuous improvement of UPM’s plywood production.
Quality is built through collaboration
Product audits at UPM’s plywood mills are not traditional inspections conducted by an external party. Instead, they are collaborative sessions involving mill employees, product management and often representatives from the supply chain.
“Auditing is a good thing. The discussions cover both quality and development ideas, and resulting insights are shared in both directions. Auditing drives our improvement,” describes Jouko Backman, development manager at UPM Savonlinna plywood mill.
During audits, participants may examine topics such as packaging solutions, sorting accuracy or specific customer requirements.
“It’s important that ideas from the field reach product management, and that customer needs are, in turn, translated into production,” notes UPM Plywood’s Product Manager Harri Nieminen.
All of UPM Plywood’s main products are audited at least once every three years and also so-called multisite audits are conducted. These audits focus on the same WISA product manufactured at different mills, helping to unify the quality standards across the entire network. This is especially critical for the main products, such as WISA®-Wire or WISA®-Form Birch.
“Premium products can’t be sold at a Mercedes price if the quality isn’t up to Mercedes standards. Audits help us ensure consistent quality, no matter where the product is made. At the same time, we gain valuable information – little gems that wouldn’t otherwise reach the mills,” Backman explains.
Creating customer value through auditing
From the customer’s perspective, the main benefit of product audits is the consistent and reliable quality of WISA products. Audits also support long-term planning. For example, if demand for a specific product increases, production can adjust well in advance.
In addition to internal audits, UPM Plywood audits its subcontractors every three years. This helps ensure that partners operate in line with agreed quality standards and sustainability targets.
“Audits are not just part of the routine, they are a tool for continuous improvement,” Nieminen says. “Each round reveals something new that can be developed, and that is what makes them so valuable.”