Meet the Team: Mick and Josh from Quality Control
Posted on 8 Apr 2025 at 15:50
Mick and Josh are the duo behind J&A Kay’s Quality Control team. They’re the people making sure everything that leaves our doors is spot on. Their day begins with a strong coffee and a catch-up to run through yesterday’s actions and the plan for today. Then it’s full steam ahead with checks, collaboration and continuous improvement.
1. What does a typical day look like for you at J&A Kay?
Mick:
I speak with customers regularly, whether by phone or in person, to help resolve any quality concerns. I also support vacuum forming and work closely with the shopfloor team. Most of my day involves liaising with Production and Purchasing to improve processes and get the best results possible. I really enjoy being hands-on and part of the problem-solving process.
Josh:
My day involves checking parts from suppliers against technical drawings. If anything’s wrong, I raise an NCR and send it back for correction. I also carry out visual and dimensional inspections on the shopfloor, create ISIRs for new products and build criteria sheets for operatives. It’s busy, varied and I often check far more products than people realise.
2. What do you enjoy most about working in quality assurance?
Mick:
There’s something really satisfying about knowing a job’s been done right. I like visiting customers, listening to their concerns and helping them solve issues. Every day brings something new – whether it’s a challenge on the shopfloor or a new product. It’s that constant opportunity to make a difference that keeps it interesting.
Josh:
I enjoy identifying potential issues early and finding solutions before they become problems. I take pride in delivering high standards and knowing customers receive well-made, reliable parts. I also like working with the wider team to improve processes and reduce risk, such as creating SOPs to guide operatives through tricky jobs.
3. Can you share a moment where your work helped prevent a potential issue?
Mick:
With 26 years of experience, I’ve learned to spot potential issues quickly. In one case, after discussing concerns with the internal team and customer, we gave the operators more time and on-the-job training. That small step meant fewer errors, better quality and a more confident team. Sometimes the best solution is just giving people the time and tools to do things right.
Josh:
We had an ongoing issue with a particular job when it came to the CNC step. I worked with the operator to rework the tool and reprogram the trim. This simple change made the process quicker and more consistent. As a result, the customer received much better parts, and we reduced the time lost in troubleshooting and rework. It proved how small tweaks can lead to big improvements.
4. What role does sustainability play in your approach to quality?
Mick:
I try to reduce waste by ensuring precision and helping parts last longer. When things are right the first time, we avoid scrap, which is better for the business and the environment. I also support working with suppliers who care about sustainability, as it’s a key part of delivering long-term quality and reliability.
Josh:
Reducing rework means less waste, so I focus on getting things right from the start. By improving efficiency and spotting faults early, we avoid unnecessary material use. I’m also proud to work for a company like J&A Kay that values environmental responsibility and ties that into the quality process.
5. What skills or mindset do you think are essential for working in quality?
Mick:
Strong communication is essential, especially when working across departments or speaking with customers. You need to be proactive and confident enough to challenge things when they don’t seem right. Patience and attention to detail also go a long way – it’s often the small things that make the biggest difference.
Josh:
You’ve got to be confident when something doesn’t look right and willing to speak up. Communication and teamwork are key, especially when creating processes like SOPs. I also think being proactive helps – if you can fix something before it becomes a bigger issue, you’re already ahead of the game.
And finally, what’s a fun fact about you?
Mick:
I’m learning to play the piano – it’s a great way to unwind outside of work.
Josh:
I used to live opposite Kylie Minogue. No autograph, sadly!