The quality your customers really need inevitably differs from the quality as prescribed in specifications, rules and regulations. The author's message is, in short, to be aware of this fact in all quality related issues.

Quality as required by fitness for purpose can be in conflict with quality according to prevailing specifications, rules and regulations. It is then in the interest of the buyer to agree with the supplier on desirable exemptions. But often we can see that the supplier chooses the easy way out of just complying with the contract specifications without caring too much about the particular interests of the customer.

In the Damen Shipyards Group, we try to induce a corporate culture of always paying attention to the interests of our customers and making serious efforts to serve those interests, also when there is no contractual obligation to do so. This book constitutes a welcome means to spread this word throughout the entire organisation. I wholeheartedly recommend it to whoever wishes to be a genuine quality supplier.

Kommer Damen

Chairman of Damen Shipyards Group