Integrating quality and reliability assessment into product development process : A New Zealand case study

Purpose – To provide a case study of a medium size New Zealand electronic equipment maker striving to compete globally with implementation of an integrated new product development process. Design/methodology/approach – This is based on my work performed in this New Zealand company. Due to confidentiality, detailed information and the name of the company were to be omitted in this article. Findings – In the course of this work, it was found that New Zealand has great potential in electronics sector. However, as New Zealand is a latecomer as an electronic equipment maker, it needs to produce products for a certain niche market instead of competing with low cost electronic producing countries. Therefore, the ability to produce unique product quickly with required quality and reliability is essential for New Zealand electronic companies. Originality/value – This paper discussed how New Zealand being a country remote from the rest of the world is able to participate in producing electronic equipment. This paper discusses the innovativeness of the company in developing their own version of new product development process.