The Quality Management Center (QMC) has been available to German automotive OEM's and their suppliers from August 1997. Under the leadership of Mr. Heinz-Günter Plegniere, the QMC operates within the section of the German Automotive Industry Association (VDA) run by Dr. Thomas Schlick.

The tasks performed by the QMC are as varied as the issues surrounding quality management in the automotive industry which occupy us on a daily basis. The spectrum ranges from developing systems and methods to shaping the future of quality management systems in the automotive industry.

These developments, as well as the direction of QMC, are steered by the top-level committee regarding quality matters in the German automotive industry, the QM Committee. The QM Comittee is formed by VDA members and consists of the Quality Management Directors of all the automotive OEM's, an equal number of suppliers, and the VDA represented by one of its Executive Directors.

The operational areas of the VDA-QMC are structured as follows:

• Specialist department supervising the VDA-QMC Working Groups
  The 19 Working Groups, which are engaged in a wide range of automotive quality management-related subjects, are comprised of Quality management experts delegated by the automotive OEM's and their suppliers.
• IATF Oversight Office
  The VDA-QMC Oversight Office represents the German automotive OEM's and suppliers at the IATF.
• Training and Further Education
  The primary task of the VDA-QMC training department is to convey the output of the Working Groups to employees of the automotive industry via sector-specific QM training programs. Our main advantage lies in being able to create the content of the training seminars and have them conducted by the same VDA-QMC experts "under one roof".

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Siemens (Berlin and Munich) is a global powerhouse in electrical engineering and electronics. The company has around 475,000 employees (incl. discontinued operations) working to develop and manufacture products, design and install complex systems and projects, and tailor a wide range of services for individual requirements. Siemens provides innovative technologies and comprehensive know-how to benefit customers in over 190 countries. Founded more than 155 years ago, the company focuses on the areas of Information and Communications, Automation and Control, Power, Transportation, Medical, and Lighting. In fiscal 2006 (ended September 30), Siemens had sales of €87.3 billion and net income of €3.033 billion, according to U.S. GAAP. Further information is available on the Internet at: www.siemens.com.

The Continental Corporation is a leading automotive supplier of brake systems, chassis components, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers. In 2006 the corporation realized sales of EUR14.9 billion. At present it has a worldwide workforce of around 85,000.

As a worldwide leading technology partner to the automotive industry, the Automotive Systems Division of Continental AG integrates extensive know-how and uncompromising quality in the fields of driving safety, embedded telematics and hands-free communication systems, powertrain and comfort. In 2006 the Division achieved sales of approx. EUR6 billion with a workforce of more than 30,000. Continental Automotive Systems develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake, stability and chassis control systems, electronic air suspension systems, sensors, engine management and transmission control systems, hybrid drives, cooling fan modules, body and security electronics and also is the industry leader of embedded telematics and communication systems in vehicles.

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The SQS Group, (SQS) is Europe's largest independent provider of software testing and quality management services. After 24 years of successful operation the company has built an unparalleled reputation as the industry-leader. Customers can improve their operations and gain competitive advantage by using SQS's knowledge, built on strong methodologies, developed from decades of experience. Over this period, the company has developed extensive specialist knowledge in many vertical markets.

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