In Focus with Andy McKinlay, quality control manager at Dennis Eagle
Passionate about quality
Andy McKinlay joined the Dennis Eagle team as an apprentice electrician and fitter in the special vehicles division. After gaining experience across the business, Andy gravitated back to a hands-on role in manufacturing where he’s risen through the ranks to become quality control manager, leading Dennis Eagle’s quality control department, a dedicated unit established in September 2024. Operating within the quality management structure, his team works alongside the supplier quality and product compliance teams to ensure Dennis Eagle continues to uphold its renowned high-quality production and product standards.
“Quality is one of our core values; it’s something that the business takes very seriously,” expresses Andy. “As a market leader, we have an excellent reputation for quality, but we’re not resting on that. We want to innovate and be continuously making further improvements that positively impact our customers.”
While quality has always been a Dennis Eagle pillar, the role of the new department is to further enhance that focus, with the department’s vision being ‘zero repeated defects’.
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Andy McKinlay, Dennis Eagle's quality control manager |
“Our aim is to detect if issues or defects arise, thoroughly investigate them and stop them happening again,” says Andy. “Detailed root cause analysis forms a major part of our work, which allows us to implement meaningful permanent corrective actions to prevent future repeat issues. We’ve put in place new procedures and reporting structures to aid this and we’re already making strides towards reducing production downtime and requirements for rework, with the ultimate aim of ensuring the utmost quality for our customers.”
If an issue is identified, cross-functional teams are engaged from different Dennis Eagle departments to develop and implement new processes to ensure quality. The team uses metrology equipment and new technologies such as laser trackers and 3D scanners to analyse assemblies and parts to ensure production as well as supplier parts are precise. Dennis Eagle has recently invested in new 3D-scanning equipment. Drastically reducing scanning time, the team will be creating scans of the entire portfolio to aid benchmarking and to determine focus areas for further quality improvements in the future.
Initially a team of three, its success has led to recent expansion: quality coordinators embedded in the Dennis Eagle production lines will now integrate into the quality control team, unifying the quality professionals for a cohesive approach.
“Our immediate next steps are bringing those team members – quality coordinators in assembly, fabrication and paint – within the team. Then, moving forward, we’re keen to increase the interaction with our customers to get their direct feedback. We want to impress our customers every time we deliver a new vehicle or fleet – delivering the absolute best market-leading product fit for their requirements and keep them returning to Dennis Eagle.”
While Andy loves the hands-on and problem-solving nature of his role, his team and the passion of his Dennis Eagle colleagues are key: “I have an incredible team and we work so well together. We’re all incredibly passionate and proud to work for Dennis Eagle. I feel extremely fortunate to be entrusted with this role and responsibility, which is ultimately maintaining Dennis Eagle’s incredible reputation for quality.”
