Ledge Inc.

Ever feel like PPAPs (Production Part Approval Processes) are the college professor who fails everyone’s first paper—no matter how hard you tried—just to “set expectations”? Well, you’re not alone. We recently supported a PPAP on a complicated system that ran around $30,000 (yes, thirty grand!) when you tally up engineering time, quality oversight, and supplier input. That’s a chunk of change that can blindside you if you’re not careful. So, what’s happening here? -Customers want PPAPs for free. Kind of like saying, “Sure, I’ll take that new car… but can you throw in the engine at no extra charge?” -It can take tens or even hundreds of hours of back-and-forth with customer quality engineers. Basically, it’s a part-time job in itself. -Expensive standards galore (AS9145, AIAG manuals, etc.). It’s like a never-ending quest to keep up with the “latest must-have” in the quality world. -Sometimes the requirements make no sense—like a process capability study that needs more parts than your entire production order. It’s the ultimate “Are you serious?” moment. -Lack of communication pre-PO leads to last-minute demands: “Oh, by the way, we need your entire documentation set by Friday... still free, right?” -Rejections based on personal preference: “I don’t like your MSA approach—try again.” (Cue the college professor flashback.) The moral of the story? If you’re in sales or project management, get your quality team involved early. Understanding PPAP requirements—and the real costs—before signing on the dotted line can save you a world of pain (and a chunk of change). It’s perfectly reasonable (and increasingly common) to charge for PPAPs or at least negotiate them upfront. After all, it’s real work that takes real resources—there’s no “free lunch” in manufacturing. So, what’s your take? How do you handle the inevitable “Wait, you want how many parts for the Gage R&R?” conversation? Let’s hear your best (and worst) PPAP war stories and strategies in the comments. Because if we’re going to fail the first paper, we might as well figure out how to pass the rest of the semester together!

Join the Ledge Inc. Team! At Ledge Inc., we’re driven by one mission: Delivering solutions that build economic opportunity for manufacturers across the country. Our success is grounded in a set of core values: --Continuous Growth: We never stop learning and improving. Independence: We trust our team to take initiative and own their work. --Customer Obsessed: We exceed client expectations and build lasting relationships. --Give More Than You Get: We lead with generosity and always provide more value than we receive. --Intentional: We prioritize what truly matters to achieve meaningful results. --Problem Solvers: We tackle challenges head-on with innovative, impactful solutions. --Owner Mentality: We act with accountability, driving each project like we own the business. If you’re looking for a flexible, supportive environment where your ideas matter and your work creates real impact, check out our latest opportunity. Join us in shaping the future of manufacturing—one solution at a time! https://lnkd.in/ehKYNJ9i

Congratulations, LZK Manufacturing! We are thrilled to celebrate LZK Manufacturing on their achievement of AS9100 certification—a testament to their commitment to quality and excellence in aerospace manufacturing! This significant milestone was made possible through the leadership of Lisa Lazarek, President of LZK Manufacturing, and the hard work and dedication of the entire LZK team. A huge shoutout to Chad Yiengst, Ledge Inc.’s lead aerospace manufacturing consultant, for guiding this project to success with his expertise and support. We’d also like to thank MANTEC and Scott Reighard for their assistance in securing state funding, as well as Performance Review Institute (PRI) for serving as a trusted certification body. This collaboration truly highlights the power of partnership in driving continuous improvement and achieving big goals.

Still Stuck in Spreadsheet Overload? Paper forms and endless Excel tabs might have worked in the past, but they’re no match for today’s fast-paced business challenges. Enter 80/20 Quality—a smarter, faster way to track and resolve errors. Designed to simplify your processes, improve accuracy, and give you the insights you need to get to the root of the problem. 📉 Ditch the manual headaches 💡 Unlock actionable insights ⚡ Streamline your operations It’s time to leave outdated tools behind and embrace a solution built for modern businesses. 🔗 Discover more: Streamline Error Tracking with 80/20 Quality #SpreadsheetOverload #ModernSolutions #ErrorTracking #8020Quality https://lnkd.in/eizvhHjM

Are you ISO 9001 or AS9100 Certified? Or are you looking to achieve certification? Achieving and maintaining certifications like ISO 9001 or AS9100 can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. Using 80/20 Quality, you can simplify the process. These certifications demand rigorous documentation, tracking of non-conformances, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Our app is built to streamline these tasks, allowing your quality management team to: ✅ Simplify the audit process with detailed, audit-ready reports at the click of a button. ✅ Reduce risks by proactively managing non-conformances with real-time tracking and resolution tools. ✅ Ensure compliance by aligning your quality management processes with international standards. By transitioning to a digital quality management system, your organization can focus less on the paperwork and more on delivering excellence to your customers. 📈 Ready to make certification simpler, faster, and more effective? 👉 Visit https://lnkd.in/exypMCGh to learn how 80/20 Quality can support your compliance journey. #ISO9001 #AS9100 #QualityManagement #ComplianceMadeSimple #ContinuousImprovement

Exciting News: Version 2 of the 80/20 Quality Application is Here! We're thrilled to unveil the latest version of our application, designed to make diagnosing and resolving operational inefficiencies simpler than ever. Think of it as your business's check engine light, pinpointing the small issues that lead to big improvements. 🔧 What's new in Version 2? *Enhanced diagnostic tools to identify and eliminate root causes of inefficiencies. *Improved dashboards for better visibility into your operations. *Cost-tracking features to help calculate ROI and guide continual improvement initiatives. *A streamlined experience to help you stay ahead of the competition. 📈 Ready to take your operations to the next level? Check out the video below to see how 80/20 Quality can transform your business. 👉 Visit www.8020quality.com to learn more and start your journey toward frictionless quality today! #Innovation #QualityManagement #OperationalExcellence #8020Quality #BusinessEfficiency

We’re releasing some big changes. The 80/20 Quality application is about to redefine how businesses approach quality and operational efficiency. Think of it as your business’s diagnostic tool—like a check engine light but for identifying and eliminating the friction slowing you down. From tackling root causes to making smarter decisions, it’s built to make your operations smoother and your team more productive. Stay tuned this week! Ready to simplify your manufacturing quality processes? Learn how 80/20 Quality can help - #QualityManagement #BusinessEfficiency #Innovation https://8020quality.com/

Big News for Xometry Suppliers! If you’re doing work for Xometry and want to continue taking on high-quality projects, you’ve likely heard the recent requirement: ISO 9001 or AS9100 certification is now mandatory for certain jobs. The good news? At Ledge Inc. Inc., we specialize in supporting businesses like yours achieve these certifications quickly and efficiently. 🔧 How we can help: • Guiding you step-by-step through the certification process. • Providing tailored solutions to fit your operation. • Ensuring you meet customer deadlines and maintain quality standards. We know that navigating these standards can feel overwhelming, but with our proven methods and experienced team, you’ll be certified and back to focusing on your core work in no time. Don’t let this requirement slow your business down! Reach out today, and let’s start planning your path to certification. https://lnkd.in/eBP29cc2

Developing Your Supplier Base: When Bringing in a Consulting Team Makes Sense Building a strong supplier base is critical for any business, but let’s face it—sometimes your internal team doesn’t have the capacity to manage supplier development projects while juggling day-to-day operations. That’s where a consulting team can step in to help. Here’s why bringing in experts for supplier development can be a game-changer: • Expert Guidance: Consultants bring specialized knowledge in supplier audits, quality improvement, and compliance to help identify the right partners. • Time Savings: While your internal team focuses on keeping the business running, a consulting team can dedicate their full attention to vetting and improving supplier relationships. • Cost Efficiency: Rather than stretching your team thin (and risking errors), a consulting team can work faster and more effectively—getting you the results you need without the growing pains. • Fresh Perspective: Sometimes, it takes an outsider’s view to spot inefficiencies, identify hidden risks, or uncover new opportunities with your suppliers. • Long-Term Gains: Building a reliable supplier base ensures consistency, reduces costs, and minimizes supply chain risks in the future. If supplier development has been on your “to-do” list for a while, it might be time to consider an external team to help you move forward. Investing in this now can pay dividends in the form of quality, reliability, and trust across your supply chain. Reach out if you’d like to discuss more post your thoughts in the comments - https://lnkd.in/eF3-VHQS

The team is telling people about Ledge Inc. at the Manufacturers' Expo hosted by The Manufacturers' Association. 1000 guests and around 150 exhibits!