APQP4Wind is the new normal for industry suppliers

At AWEA WINDPOWER 2019, the training provider DNV GL hosted a session to discuss what APQP4Wind means for your business. The panel consisted of speakers representing both the wind turbine manufacturers' and suppliers' point of view.

During the presentation of the APQP4Wind framework, Jan Hylleberg, CEO of Wind Denmark, explained that APQP4Wind started out as a project driven by suppliers that wished to address the growing pressure from wind turbine manufacturers. Suppliers therefore joined forces to create a common frame of reference on all levels of the supply chain to improve quality assurance processes within the global wind industry:

To further stress the importance of APQP4Wind, Jan Hylleberg stated that since then, APQP4Wind has grown into being an independent organization endorsed by both wind turbine manufacturers, suppliers, and sub-suppliers:   

“Everyone benefits from implementing APQP4Wind and getting standards, tools, and methods. Both wind turbine manufacturers, suppliers, and sub-suppliers lower costs on documentation and get a bigger scale of production.”

Pamela Lynch from TPI Composites added that the vision behind APQP4Wind was to strengthen the entire supply chain as the standardization increases efficiency. By implementing APQP4Wind, they have experienced fewer issues on their materials and components, but APQP4Wind is also an investment in people as she notes:

“Training teammates on quality tools gives people confidence around their material. When you see an employee get trained and receive a certification, there is also a certain pride in evolving and growing.”

Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) for the Wind Industry

When discussing differences between APQP and APQP4Wind, Pamela Lynch commented that there are slight differences as the application of the tools are the same, but the details are different.

The APQP4Wind Manual contains 7 phases instead of 5 to ease implementation. The APQP4Wind Manual is supported by a Toolbox that contains both an Analysis Tool together with a Workbook representing the core structure of how to comply with the activities and new requirements described in the Manual. Pamela Lynch then clarified that:

To further highlight the differences, Jan Hylleberg pointed out that the key benefit of APQP4Wind is that it endorses earlier dialogue between wind turbine manufacturers and suppliers through kick-off meetings to ensure feedback and communication at eye level when it comes to quality assurance processes.

Pamela Lynch agreed with this point and emphasized that APQP4Wind has improved their communication with both customers and suppliers:

“TPI manufactures in accordance with customer requirements, and sometimes requirements are not completely clear. We did, therefore, welcome the APQP4Wind framework to avoid these miscommunications through the standardized product quality planning process and language.”

_{At AWEA WINDPOWER 2019 in May, people could attend a session on APQP4Wind hosted by DNV GL, where GE Renewable Energy, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Vestas Wind Systems, TPI Composites, and Wind Denmark discussed what APQP4wind means for your business. This article is a part of a two-series article:
To learn more about the perspectives from GE Renewable Energy, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, and Vestas Wind Systems, please read: APQP4Wind is going to be a requirement}