Five years of advancing quality in the global wind industry

The journey of APQP4Wind began with the birth of a visionary idea in 2014. Three years later, a Kick-Off Event hosted by Vestas Wind Systems marked the first presentation of the APQP4Wind framework to the wind industry. This event catalyzed the development and publication of the APQP4Wind Manual 1.0 and Workbook in 2017, providing the industry with a comprehensive set of guidelines. In addition, recognizing the importance of education, Bureau Veritas Certification and DNV were ready to offer the first courses on APQP4Wind that same year.

In 2018, APQP4Wind was ready to transition into an independent entity; a non-profit organization with a full-time staff in the APQP4Wind Secretariat and a dedicated Board of Directors. Today, the APQP4Wind Board of Directors contains representatives from Vattenfall, Ørsted, GE Renewable Energy, Goldwind, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Vestas Wind Systems, GRI Renewable Industries, KK Wind Solutions, LM Wind Power, and ZF Wind Power. Together, these companies have worked on developing APQP4Wind's strategies to help the organization reach its goals.

Building a solid quality foundation

With the help of the APQP4Wind Board and because of APQP4Wind's overall focus on continuous improvement, the organization has made significant strides in advancing quality processes in the wind industry. For example, in 2019, the APQP4Wind Toolbox was extended with the Analysis Tool to support the Workbook for the MSA and Capability study to be documented more flexibly. And later, in 2021, the APQP4Wind Assessment Tool was added to enable companies to assess their quality performance more effectively.

The organization also continues to grow on a global scale. Over the past five years, APQP4Wind has sold more than 8,300 APQP4Wind Manuals and ensured training deployed in 50+ countries with over 6,600-course participants certified from more than 1,400 companies.

The global expansion has created a demand for translating key materials such as the APQP4Wind Manual and website into other languages. Therefore, the APQP4Wind Manual and website are now available in three different languages: English, Chinese, and Spanish, to ensure that all users of APQP4Wind are comfortable and well-informed throughout all phases of APQP4Wind.

A growing network of global industry leaders

The increased demands show global expansion, which is also evident in our growing network of industry leaders in the APQP4Wind Community. Today, the APQP4Wind Community facilitates vital collaboration across the supply chain by including more than 120 Company Members, 30 Working Group Members, 18 Country Ambassadors, and 3 Training Providers since TÜV Rheinland Greater China became the third approved Training Provider in 2020 to further strengthen the training offerings on a global scale. Last year, APQP4Wind also emerged as the hosting platform for Industry Standards and Technical Information Management (TIM Wind).

Henning Bach Jokumsen, Chairman of APQP4Wind Board of Directors and Head of Sales Quality NCE at Vestas Wind Systems, emphasizes the transformative impact of APQP4Wind on the wind industry when looking back at the past five years, stating:

"A collective commitment to quality and collaboration has driven our journey as an independent organization. The highlights we have achieved along the way are a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work of the APQP4Wind Secretariat and our APQP4Wind Community." He says and continues:

"The support from our Company Members, members of our Working Group, Training Providers, Board of Directors, and Chairmanship is why we continuously evolve and grow. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your dedication to advancing the industry's quality performance. Our vision and mission continue to be crucial for the wind industry."
 

Exclusive promotion for new APQP4Wind Company Members

To celebrate our five-year journey and to encourage further participation, APQP4Wind is offering an exclusive discount for new company members:

From June 1 until September 30, 2023, companies that sign up for an APQP4Wind Company Membership can get a 50% discount for the remainder of 2023. This limited offer also includes complimentary access to the APQP4Wind Assessment Tool (version 1) and exclusively one e-manual (APQP4Wind Manual version 1.2) at no additional cost.

As a part of the APQP4Wind Community, company members get access to several key benefits, including networking opportunities to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange, says Chief Executive Officer of APQP4Wind, Kim Nedergaard Jacobsen, and continues:

How do I join?

To become an APQP4Wind Company Member, it is required that at least one of your employees has a valid APQP4Wind Management Awareness Training certificate and that at least one other employee has a valid APQP4Wind Specialist Training certificate from one of our approved training providers.

Download the signup form on our website, fill it in, and send it to the Secretariat at contact@apqp4wind.org. When the Secretariat has received your filled-in signup form, we will check the validity of your employees' certificates in our systems and send you an invoice by mail if they are still valid. After APQP4Wind has received your payment, you will be registered as a company member.

APQP4Wind's journey as an independent organization over the past five years has been marked by significant achievements and advancements in quality assurance for the global wind industry. With a clear vision and a vital mission, APQP4Wind continues to provide the standards, tools, and support needed to enhance collaboration and drive excellence across the supply chain.

Take advantage of the discounted membership offer today to become part of our growing community, benefit from valuable networking opportunities and contribute to the continued advancement of quality performance in the wind industry!