Rochester Area Quality Council (RAQC)

RAQC Vision:

The Rochester Area Quality Council’s (RAQC) vision is to be the leading resource for Rochester Area businesses and organizations who want to enhance their business results and contribute to an outstanding community.

RAQC Mission:

The mission of the Rochester Area Quality Council (RAQC) is to promote awareness of the opportunities in quality and productivity by:

• Advocating the widespread use of continuous quality improvement processes
• Providing training in new quality tools and techniques
• Exchanging ideas, experiences, and expertise

Board of Advisors:

Staff:

Jennifer Burmeister, Director, Southeast Minnesota

For information on RAQC or to become a member, please contact jennifer.burmeister (at) councilforquality.org or at 507-213-8132.

Future Presentations:

Archived Presentations:

Next RAQC Meeting Topic:

From Kernel to Crystal: The Cargill Corn Milling Journey

Speaker:

Ron Fiala, Process Improvement Manager, Cargill Corn Milling

Date:

Thursday, Feb 11 (note date change)

Time:

11:00 Registration, networking, breakfast

11:15 Announcements, Program

1:00 Adjourn

Location:

RCTC University Center

Coffman Building CF 206/208

Rochester

Cost:

$30 for non-members

$15 members of partner orgs and students

$10 for Council members

Click here to register.

Sponsors:

Topic Overview:

The Rochester Area Quality Council, an affiliate of the Minnesota Council for Quality, is pleased to announce their Feb 11 program “From Kernel to Crystal: The Cargill Corn Milling Journey."  The session will be led by Ron Fiala of Cargill Corn Milling.

Ron Fiala will discuss the long journey to excellence that led to Cargill Corn Milling North America being honored with the 2008 Malcolm Baldrige Award. His talk will highlight lessons learned and processes used to help sustain this large manufacturing company through tough economic times.

Cargill Corn Milling North America (CCM), a business unit within privately held Cargill Inc., is a manufacturer of corn- and sugar-based products serving food, feed, and fermentation markets. CCM delivers 60-plus products to more than 3,000 customers. CCM’s Selling, General, and Administration expense per gross profit improved from about 35 percent in FY 2005 to 30 percent in FY 2008 exceeding competitive benchmarks for that period and its Earnings After Tax nearly tripled from FY 2003 to FY 2007. From FY 2004-2008, CCM  increased its overall Engagement Score from approximately 37 percent to 65 percent as measured by a nationally administered Employee Engagement Survey. It continually strives to improve its operational reliability and effectiveness through means such as real-time and predictive monitoring of equipment health, stringent maintenance, and careful energy usage and as a result was able to maintain steady per-bushel costs from FY 2006-2008 even though energy, chemical, and maintenance costs increased significantly. After severe floods in June 2008 completely shut down its plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, CCM’s commitment to community was shown when it moved quickly to implement disaster recovery processes, rebuild and restore the plant, assist employees and the community, and minimize operational and customer impacts. Most importantly, CCM employed its workforce through the entire period.

The session is Feb 11 from 11:00-1:00 at RCTC.

Space is limited.  Please register by contacting Jennifer Burmeister before Feb 5 at jennifer.burmeister@councilforquality.org or 507-213-8132.

Speaker Bio:

Ron Fiala serves as process improvement manager overseeing the business excellence activities for Cargill’s Corn Milling North America business unit. 

Fiala joined Cargill in 1997 when Wahpeton, ND based ProGold, a competitor in the corn milling industry, was acquired.  Prior to ProGold, Fiala worked for Tate & Lyle in Decatur, IL, another corn milling competitor.  Until recently his time has been split between the Wahpeton plant and the business unit.  His work has centered on annual business planning, employee engagement, best plant processes, and business excellence including the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. 

Fiala is a past board member of the United Way of Richland – Wilkin Counties and was an assistant high school baseball coach in Wahpeton.

Click here to register.