Lowell Names New Quality Assurance Leader

Minneapolis, Minn.-based Lowell Inc. hired Udaya Joshi, M.S., M.B.A., C.S.S.B.B., as the firm’s new quality assurance/continuous improvement leader. Joshi has extensive experience in quality, project management, compliance and regulations, including leadership experience at companies such as Actuant, Donaldson and TE Connectivity, according to his new employers.

In addition, he is a certified Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt, project management professional, certified quality engineer and certified quality manager.

“I’m really looking forward to the continuous improvement of our QMS (quality management systems), GMPs (good manufacturing practices), COQ (cost of quality), and automation of the business processes,” Joshi said. “Initially I’ll focus on our CAPA (corrective and preventive action), validation plans, IQ/OQ/PQ (installation qualification, operational qualification, performance qualification), PPAP (production part approval process), APQP/CP (advanced product quality planning and control plan) and SPC (statistical process control) tools. We need to move at a fast pace to support our customer’s growing need for quality partnerships across the entire supply chain.”

Rick Cullen, senior vice president at Lowell said: “Udaya’s extensive experience leading quality departments at larger companies make him a key addition to our industry leading team. We are excited to leverage his background as we continue our rapid growth.”

Lowell is a precision-machining contract manufacturer, specializing in the development and production of complex implantable medical devices. The company provides engineering support, turning, milling and electrical discharge machining to laser marking, turn-key and clean-room assemblies. Lowell’s quality system is registered to ISO 9001:2008 and 13485:2003.