Quality takes time

Something beautiful never comes easy, is it? Last week we have been figuring out how to align the structure of the new factory with the universal ‘verticals and horizontals’. Since many of our workers believe that truth is personal and what is right for you may not be true for me, it was quite a challenge to convince them that the factory structure was really not erected according to design and drawing plans made earlier. There is at least one universal truth and that’s the plumb line. Finally last Saturday we went the head-office of the construction company in Mumbai and discussed the matter with the intention not leaving the office before a new deadline was committed to by the company management. Acknowledging their mistakes they would rectify the structure and set it up on the 12th of November. Now, please don’t call me a liar when this deadline is not kept; I just tell you what they told me. In India, when things are not important, you don’t call, even when you made an appointment or agreement. When it is really urgent you call every day, in order to keep the interest in your case up. In our case it is incredible urgent and so we call and email twice a day.

By the way, the structure has been dismantled and is being altered. At one corner the structure is 30cm (1.0ft) out of line… It took over 15 phone calls and a 9 hour drive (for a 1,5hr meeting) to have them acknowledge the mistake and take the correct action. Well… at least that’s what they have promised :).

Since quality matters for a perfectionist this is not an easy project. Once it’s done it will be a cool story. For now we have to press in and get it over with as soon as possible.