The Quality Edge

What does it really take to move beyond disconnected spreadsheets and truly operationalize digital quality? 

In this episode of The Quality Edge, Chris Nahil sits down with Mike Vitek and Mark Greenwald from Sandalwood to explore how manufacturers outside the automotive world can capture the day-one value of connected quality systems. 

Drawing from decades of hands-on leadership and consulting in automotive, aerospace, heavy equipment, and industrial chemicals, the conversation dives deep into why legacy frameworks like APQP, PPAP, and FMEA are being adopted by new industries and the pitfalls of copy-pasting automotive approaches. The discussion unpacks how to build closed-loop quality processes that actually stick, prevent costly mistakes, and win early support, and exposes the real reasons quality management struggles—culture, technology, and corporate silos—while offering practical ways to overcome them. 

If you’re tired of fighting fires every time an audit comes around or seeing profits leak away due to preventable quality problems, this episode lays out actionable steps to create a sustainable, connected quality culture. Tune in now!

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In this episode of The Quality Edge, host Chris Nahil talks with Vick Vaishnavi, head of the Reliance quality management systems business at Octave, about the key findings from the 2026 Octave Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing survey.

Based on feedback from nearly 750 manufacturing professionals across the U.S., Germany, and the U.K., they explore how companies are handling rising compliance demands, workforce shortages, supply chain disruption, and growing pressure to improve quality. Chris and Vick also discuss why quality is becoming a bigger business priority, how AI is starting to play a real role in day-to-day operations, and why recalls and regulatory challenges continue to impact manufacturers worldwide. 

If you want a clearer picture of where manufacturing quality is headed in 2026, this conversation offers practical insight and real-world perspective.

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Presented by ETQ
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In this episode of The Quality Edge, host Chris Nahil speaks with Christian Elliott, Quality Director at Kingspan Insulation, about what it really takes to secure executive approval for a major eQMS investment.

While many quality leaders understand the need for a connected system, getting buy-in at the C-suite level is often where things fall apart. Christian shares his firsthand experience navigating that challenge, including how to build a Business Requirements Document that speaks in business terms, not technical language.

You’ll also hear practical advice on simplifying your message, identifying the real problem you’re solving, and reporting success in a way that keeps leadership engaged long after approval is secured.

If you're preparing for a budget discussion or trying to position quality as a strategic function, this episode gives you a clear way to approach it.

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Presented by ETQ

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In this episode of The Quality Edge, host Chris Nahil sits down with James Wells, Senior Analyst and Research Director at LNS Research, to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers today: how to reposition quality from a cost center to a strategic advantage.

Drawing from over a decade of research and his own experience in quality leadership, James shares what separates companies that merely manage compliance from those that make quality part of their competitive edge. They break down the shift from “little q” to “Big Q” thinking, the role of embedded quality across the value chain, and why the best-performing companies don’t just measure risk — they measure impact.

If you're a quality leader trying to build a business case that resonates in the boardroom, or just looking to rethink how quality can drive performance, this one’s for you.

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Presented by ETQ
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In this episode of The Quality Edge, host Chris Nahil sits down with ETQ CEO Vick Vaishnavi to break down the findings from ETQ’s 2025 Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing survey. Based on insights from over 750 quality professionals across the U.S., Germany, and the U.K., the conversation covers the most pressing challenges in the industry, from workforce shortages and product recalls to how AI is starting to reshape operations on the shop floor.

Vick shares where companies are seeing the fastest return on investment in quality, how AI is evolving from concept to practical tool, and why treating quality as a checklist item just isn’t cutting it anymore. Whether you're thinking about how to adapt to the next wave of manufacturing change or just want to benchmark your own quality strategy, this episode has the clarity and context you need.

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Presented by ETQ
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Welcome to The Quality Edge, the show where we explore how organizations can turn quality from a compliance task into a strategic advantage. Hosted by Chris Nahil, this podcast brings you conversations with top manufacturers, seasoned executives, and forward-thinking leaders who are reshaping the role of quality in today’s business landscape. From linking quality data to financial results to building a culture of continuous improvement, every episode gives you practical insights you can apply to reduce risk, improve performance, and drive growth. If you’re ready to move beyond the checklist and see quality as a powerful tool for transformation, you’re in the right place. Subscribe now and don’t miss an episode.

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Presented by ETQ

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