Q-Squared

There are actually 2 types of Q^2 audits. The first type is the Corporate Audit. This audit is conducted annually, unless you're an "A" plant. "A" plants are only audited once every 3 years! (Now that's incentive to score an "A".) The second type is an internal audit. More on internal audits later. There are 9 categories included in the Corporate audit. They are .. 1. Company Quality Policy 2. Quality Assurance System 3. Research & Development 4. Milk Supply & Handling 5. Third Parties & Their Materials 6. The Supply Chain 7. Hygiene, Housekeeping & the Site 8. Logistics 9. Laboratory Since we do not handle milk, the Delhi facility is audited against 8 criteria. We have faired pretty good with 1, 2,3,5, and 8. However, serious issues were raised for categories 6, 7 and 9. The poor scores for section 6 dealt mostly with our documented HACCP system. Work is underway to improve this system - and bring it into complia

Hygiene zone training is scheduled for Friday March 31, 2006. All operations and technology group employees are required to attend 1 of the 5 training sessions. However everyone in the company is welcomed and encouraged to attend. Hygiene zones is one of our Q^2 Jeopardy categories - so the more you know, the more you can win! Training will be based on QAPR053 rev. 1. So feel free to check it out before this week's training.

Upgraded entryway is nearly completed. And soon Mike Fraser will be there welcoming all to the manufacturing facility reminding all to comply with safety and GMP requirements.

• Visitor safety shoes (overshoes w/steel toes) will be ordered. These new shoes will reduce hygiene risks to DMV and provide additional safety to our visitors. • Decided best to enter Air locks via a green (dry) zone. Changes to Air lock designed discussed. • Group worked on developing a clear explanation of what Q2 means. We need to achieve a higher level of quality in our plant – and this will be accomplished by our daily actions and attitudes (and structural upgrades). • Conflicting Air monitoring results will be settled. (GK, CV & SP)

Although a date has not been set for Q^2 Jeopardy, the categories can be announced. The categories are: GMP's ∙Basic Micro ∙HACCP ∙Hygiene Zones ∙Quality Potpourri Be sure to brush up on your knowledge of these important Q^2 categories. Hygiene zone training is required for the operations and tech groups, but is open for all. IF you would like to attend HZ training mark your calendars for Friday March 31, 2006.

The manufacturing entryway will be upgraded to allow all employees and visitors to easily comply with DMV's safety and GMP requirements. Safety and GMP posters will remind everyone to wear safety glasses, hair coverings, labcoats, safety shoe, ear protection, and to remove all loose items before entering the manufacturing facility. Construction of the upgrade entry is underway and should be completed before the end of the month.

Eastman is on-site starting today for the installation of the airlocks to the Tower bag room, V-bottom bag room, and Blend Room. Activity today and tomorrow will be limited to the warehouse side of the wall. The warehouse team has been most helpful in preparing the work zones to start the process. The manufacturing entrance from the break room will also be completed within the next few days. We are clearing the empty office near vending, and will proceed to move the "clean clothes" lockers there.

39 employees received a perfect score on the HACCP test. Each of these employees were entered into a drawing for a gift card. One winner from each of the 5 classes was selected. The winners are: Gary Sherman - Class 1 Floyd George - Class 2 George Kiakis - Class 3 Michael Masching - Class 4 Carol Barnhart - Class 5 Congratulations to all the winners! Winners can see Stephen Paolicelli to pick up their gift cards.

Company-wide training took place on March 16, 2006. Eighty Three employees received training. Remaining employees will be trained on March 23, 2006.

• "Ideal Posters" to be hung throughout the plant. Posters to communicate with words and pictures how each area should look and be maintained. • Communication Timeline to be developed. • Communication Grid to be established. Ensure consistent Q^2 message reaches everyone. • Red Zone airlocks proposed for Tower and V-bottom areas. • Production Entry proposed. Space for employee (and visitor) GMP items, hand sanitizing stations. All to pass through before entering the plant. GMP and Safety poster reminding everyone.

Susan Crowley awards Ed vd Ent, slogan contest winner, with an iPod Shuffle. Ed's winning entry "Q^2: Quality for Life" was selected by the project team. "Since all of our products are related to a high quality life (infants, hospitals/diagnostics, sports, biopharmaceuticals) and we want to maintain the high quality in our plant for the rest of our life, not for one day." Explains Ed.

Q-Squared Team Jeopardy is coming to Delhi this summer. The teams will be; 1st shift, 2nd shift, 3rd shift, R&D, Quality, and North. Which team has the most Q^2 knowledge? Prize awarded to the winning team. More to come ...

On behalf of the Q2 Project Team, I would like to thank all who participated in the contest. Sixty slogan ideas were submitted. It was a tough job picking only one, but we did. The new slogan is: This entry was submitted by the very clever Anonymous. However - we don't know who that is - so who will win the iPod Shuffle? The iPod shuffle will be awarded to the first runner up - Ed van der Ent. Ed submitted the following: Q2 - "Quality for Life" Both of these slogans idealize the Q2 concept that we need to stretch ourselves to a "different“ level of quality awareness, commitment and execution - and we are in it for the long haul (life). Reaching the "A" status of Q2 will get us to the point of acceptance, and put us on the path of continuous improvement. Things are only going to get better! Thanks again to everyone who participated. And Ed remember you can't wear you iPod in the plant! Enjoy it in your office, at home and at play.

• Twenty Eight employees participated in the slogan contest. • A total of 60 slogans were submitted. • Many good suggestions were submitted. • Lots of opportunities to use entries throughout the project, in a variety of ways. • Winner will be announced tomorrow.

• Boot selection has been made for Red Zones, outside, and customers. • Shed camera is working, Operations to put into practice. • Part of plant was visited by team, communication opportunities have been identified. Signs to follow. • Project Slogan contest entries were reviewed. • Company-wide HACCP training is scheduled for March 15h. • Additional active communication opportunities discussed.

• New Tyvex Boots approved for use in the Red Zones. • Outside disposable boots, tested and approved for all weather conditions. • Dumpster Shed Camera connected and operational. We can see what's outside from within the plant. • Hygiene Audit Procedure is being circulated for approval. • Friday 3/3 last day for Slogan Contest entries. • Communication Plan drafted. Next meeting: March 7, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. South 1St floor conference room