Ford Enters 6-Sigma Enterprise Agreement with Micrografx
DALLAS--June 18, 2001--Ford Motor Company has entered an agreement with Micrografx, Inc. (OTCBB:MGXI), making components of the iGrafx Enterprise Process Management Solutions standard for all 6-Sigma trained personnel as well as the companies 110,000 PC Renewal participants.Ford's 6-Sigma professionals - Black Belts, Master Black Belts and Green Belts will use the iGrafx Solutions as an integral component of Ford's Consumer Driven 6-Sigma program. This new agreement which extends to all Ford subsidiaries the ability for participation in the agreement, further extends the use of Micrografx' solutions into key Ford subsidiaries such as Volvo, Mazda USA, Jaguar, Hertz, Land Rover and Aston Martin.
6-Sigma is a methodology companies use to improve business processes, resulting in increased efficiency and effectiveness. One of Ford's key goals was to provide their 6-Sigma professionals with the best tools available as they engage in project work. "As with any corporation seeking true breakthrough improvement in their business, Ford has committed to making the Six Sigma Breakthrough Strategy a part of their everyday culture," said Daniel T. Laux, President of Six Sigma Academy. "This means having a complete understanding of all work processes, internal and external. Such an enormous task is benefited greatly by the aid of state of the art tools, such as iGrafx Process for Six Sigma, which have been designed specifically to increase the efficiency of the 6-Sigma team."
"By making iGrafx Solutions available to all of their 6-Sigma trained professionals, Ford makes it easy for these professionals to collaborate on their process mapping and improvement efforts while gaining the benefit of using tools that are part of an Enterprise Process Management Suite," said Ken Carraher, Division President of Enterprise Process Management Group for Micrografx. "We are proud to be an integral part of this strategic Ford initiative. We appreciate the confidence Ford has shown in us and look forward to our relationship continuing to grow."