Title: Former Boeing Quality Manager Speaks Out on Company’s Shift Towards Speed Over Quality
In a revealing account, former Boeing quality manager Merle Meyers shares his concerns about the company’s shift towards prioritizing speed over quality in recent years. Meyers, who worked at Boeing for three decades, expresses conflicting emotions about the aircraft manufacturer, citing a noticeable change in priorities over time.
Despite his deep affection for Boeing, where both he and his mother worked, Meyers is saddened and frustrated by what he describes as a shift by Boeing executives to emphasize speed over quality. He highlights the importance of quality as the top priority in the past, but notes that now, schedule takes the lead.
The recent tarnishing of Boeing’s reputation due to fatal crashes and quality concerns has led to increased scrutiny and changes within the company. Boeing’s chief executive announced plans to step down, and the company has implemented measures to improve quality, including increasing inspections and adding training.
Meyers, supported by hundreds of pages of emails and documents, sheds light on the pressures faced by workers at Boeing’s Everett factory to keep production moving, sometimes resorting to unauthorized ways to obtain parts. He emphasizes the need for the company to address these issues and restore its reputation.
Despite facing challenges and ultimately leaving Boeing, Meyers reflects on his long career at the company and the impact it had on his life and family. He now focuses on helping survivors of trauma and individuals dealing with grief, steering clear of the aerospace industry.
Meyers’ story serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing quality in manufacturing and the need for companies to uphold high standards to ensure safety and reliability in their products.
