I see Autotrail are advertising for a Quality Manager

[Tigger-Tim]

That raises the question: do AT already have a Quality [Control] Manager in the post?

A team of them, it seems. "In this role, you’ll lead, develop and motivate a team of Quality Inspectors to meet and exceed the high standards our business and industry demand. Reporting directly to the Head of Quality"

 

[bigtwin]

They appear to already have a Head of Quality and a Team of Inspectors. I think the ad would say if it was a new role.

Indeed, I suspect that this vacancy is to replace the existing incumbent/leaver.

That raises the question: do AT already have a Quality [Control] Manager in the post?

Agreed, as I posted earlier, there is nothing to suggest that this is a new role.

Ian

 

[Gellyneck]

Indeed, I suspect that this vacancy is to replace the existing incumbent/leaver.

Agreed, as I posted earlier, there is nothing to suggest that this is a new role.

Ian

Probably immaterial if it's a replacement or new position. Either is a positive move on their part.

At least they are not taking the opportunity to cost save by eliminating an existing position.

 

[bobnick]

I hope for future customers Bailey copy them.

 

[Mikey RV]

Thames water workers need not apply. Just because you have experience with water does not count.

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[Northernraider]

I remember briefly working in quality control department in a factory making electronics. I lasted only a few months as I quickly discovered quality only counted if it didn't cost any more

 

[Beltie]

I don't know the answer to this but wonder how many of the responders have first hand experience of AT products.

I'm not trying to defend AT, and other manufacturers quality performance, but there does seem to be an increasing trend of, potentially, positive communications from various organisations being immediately criticised on the forum.

I'm afraid that's the curse of social media, depressing and thoroughly predictable unfortunately.

 

[Spriddler]

From some posts It seems it's a bit late to get one now.

 

[bigtwin]

Probably immaterial if it's a replacement or new position. Either is a positive move on their part.

Not really, if it’s new, yes it’s a positive move but if it’s merely a replacement it’s unlikely to materially change the quality of the product and can hardly be considered as taking positive action upon which we should wait to see the impact on quality before judging (as per your original response).

So, all of those who slag off AT (and other UK manufacturers) for their build quality can't give positive comment on when they look to be taking some action to address these issues?

Perhaps the time to criticise is if their action fails to improve build quality?

At least they are not taking the opportunity to cost save by eliminating an existing position.

Well, I suppose that’s one way of putting a positive spin on it.

Ian

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Worked in Quality for a few years.
There are 3 types of Quality Manager:-
1. A manager you blame for everything and sack regularly after say a year or so , with no managerial power.
2. A powerful manager who is central to how the business operates.
3. A box ticking administrator, ignored until needed for certification.
Not sure which one Autotrail are looking for.

You are spot on there. Probably the last one to make sure that they can display their posh ISO quality certs which mean very little in the real world

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[Lenny HB]

You are spot on there. Probably the last one to make sure that they can display their posh ISO quality certs which mean very little in the real world

ISO means you can produce crap providing it's documented crap.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

ISO means you can produce crap providing it's documented crap.

Exactly! I used to work for the world’s largest certification company and had regular dealings with ISO certification though thankfully I did different work

 

[Pausim]

This “Quality Manager” is a middle role below the Head of Quality and I suspect it would take changes further up the tree to make a big difference.

 

[PhilandMena]

That poor person

Build is controlled by cost not quality so until they change I'll repeat POOR PERSON

You are so right! I used to be a quality assurance professional and it always amazed me and other professionals that quality of a product was determined by production and manufacturing practices. Quality control were the fall guys who never had control over what happend when the product or service was being produced.

 

[Nirvanauk]

So, all of those who slag off AT (and other UK manufacturers) for their build quality can't give positive comment on when they look to be taking some action to address these issues?

Perhaps the time to criticise is if their action fails to improve build quality?

And also how many people on here making negative comments have actually owned one?

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[Pausim]

And also how many people on here making negative comments have actually owned one?

I have never owned one but I did look at some new ones on a forecourt.

 

[Just smiffy]

You don’t have to have owned one… but to have read all about the failures is enough to make a comment…

 

[Bramidan]

Henry Ford is reputed to have said something along the lines of "If I produce 99 good cars and 1 faulty one, that to me is a 1% failure rate. But to the customer who bought the faulty car, that's likely a 100% failure rate".

It is not surprising that people who have experienced a faulty motorhome are highly vocal about it. Usually for a very long time after the event.

People are sold a dream - pictures of a glamorous couple, smiling in their motorhome next to a lake in glorious evening sun. The reality of a leaking window or flat battery on a wet dismal campsite can feel a long way from the dream!

Strangely enough I never recognised the glamorous couple etc etc.
Mind you I recently purchased some boxer shorts ( yes purchased them myself, she wasn’t there) and I was going to take them back. I put them on, looked in the mirror and they didn’t look anything like the illustration of the youngster, complete with six pack and muscles, on the pack.

 

[Northernraider]

And also how many people on here making negative comments have actually owned one?

My parents owned one, that was enough for me to never own one. Well that and the countless experiences of others I've read about.

If more people did their research before buying one their sales figures would likely be far lower.

 

[Puddleduck]

Quality has to be built in, it can't be inspected in.

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[Peterd82]

Without going into a long rant, I own one, bought new in March. While most issues have been sorted, others haven’t and escalating one particular problem to A-T was just pushed back to the dealer who I sympathise with as they have tried to sort numerous times.
The problems experienced are all down to poor quality which is why I feel qualified to comment.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Quality has to be built in, it can't be inspected in.

You are spot in there

 

[DerryW]

https://www.auto-trail.co.uk/careers/quality-manager/

I'll refrain from commenting - but I'm sure many on here will have an opinion!

Apart from what I’ve read on MF forum and visiting their stand at the NEC, I have absolutely no experience of AT.
Picking through the various stories from actual AT owners and others I believe the vast majority of issues are down to water leaks / damp. Other issues highlighted (poor fitting cabinets, sticking windows and blinds etc etc) can be found on almost every brand you care to mention be it a £75k or £250k.

Maybe AT should be given some credit for trying to improve the quality of there products.

There’s a family in the next village to us on the 2nd Autotrail tag axle in 4 years so obviously someone must buy them.

I remember when we looked at one (no intention in buying) at NEC, was they appeared to be well designed and quite spacious. However as soon as we spotted the price tag, it was time to move on.

 

[bigtwin]

Maybe AT should be given some credit for trying to improve the quality of there products.

There’s no suggestion that this is a new role (and hence an indication of an attempt to improve from their current position), the advert appears to suggest that this is simply a team vacancy, so more of the same, so to speak.

Ian

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

I don't know the answer to this but wonder how many of the responders have first hand experience of AT products.

I'm not trying to defend AT, and other manufacturers quality performance, but there does seem to be an increasing trend of, potentially, positive communications from various organisations being immediately criticised on the forum.

We have had a few to be honest. Started off with the Mohican ...Water ingress in locker under kitchen window found to be no sealant at base of window and inner rear corner to the locker causing failure. Factory supplied and nearly £4k to rectify. Second we had was an Apache 634 on a 13 plate...Rear lower lockers wet . Faulty sealant was apparently the cause? Photos showed it to be lack of a full bead of sealant around the rear driver side garage door. Grimsby replaced all items FOC but would have been in excess of £2200. Second apache 634 2017 had a plastic Cable tie from new I will add...holding the EHU connector in at the rear whistle the sealant was supposedly going off. Should have been removed but actually made it to us still fitted. Water ingress around that point causing ehu socket and electrical burn out due to shorting out. Went back and found....no sealant on the ehu!!! £750! Foc.
Now on this we should have given up hope and tried a different brand? No...decided on buying a 2015 scout! Thought it could not be as bad and actually carried out a lot of checks with an independent company before we made the purchase. Rather chuffed at the time . Then it went pear shaped yet again...a mark was noticed in the rear wall 3 parts of the way down under the window. Needed to go back in to the dealership for a new complete wall! They did say that we would never have known however..the insulation between the wood board and the gel coat (I think its that?) had separated and water from the rear window had found a track through it thus causing damp and so a new rear panel was fitted. Again...Rear window had not been completely sealed and allowed the water to track through.
We eventually decided on a Delaware and it was the only truck that made me think that they had now sorted it out ! Nope ! Again a trip back to Grimsby for a brand new rear end. This time though in plastic! That stopped the problem with water ingress through the floor but the doors to the locker had to be replaced twice before it was sorted!
Now I actually loved that truck and by the time it had been sorted...I only kept it for a few months before health through a curve ball so it had to go. A second chance has come about but...I cannot get that motorhome back now but I know its in good hands somewhere on here . Whoever has got it will never have the problems that can come about on Autotrails and hopefully they never will either. Now my pension pot and my savings have been hammered most definitely . Would I have another one now ? Yes ...If they can just listen to the people who have had their issues and of course...look on the likes of the forums like this one. There are lots of owners of Autotrails that have them on here . Not every one has a problem. But those of us that have done ...just need to be looked at and responded to in the way that would make it a positive for the company rather than the negative that it is currently. They could be great ....just a shame that its not at this time.

Regards Kev

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[Just smiffy]

We have had a few to be honest. Started off with the Mohican ...Water ingress in locker under kitchen window found to be no sealant at base of window and inner rear corner to the locker causing failure. Factory supplied and nearly £4k to rectify. Second we had was an Apache 634 on a 13 plate...Rear lower lockers wet . Faulty sealant was apparently the cause? Photos showed it to be lack of a full bead of sealant around the rear driver side garage door. Grimsby replaced all items FOC but would have been in excess of £2200. Second apache 634 2017 had a plastic Cable tie from new I will add...holding the EHU connector in at the rear whistle the sealant was supposedly going off. Should have been removed but actually made it to us still fitted. Water ingress around that point causing ehu socket and electrical burn out due to shorting out. Went back and found....no sealant on the ehu!!! £750! Foc.
Now on this we should have given up hope and tried a different brand? No...decided on buying a 2015 scout! Thought it could not be as bad and actually carried out a lot of checks with an independent company before we made the purchase. Rather chuffed at the time . Then it went pear shaped yet again...a mark was noticed in the rear wall 3 parts of the way down under the window. Needed to go back in to the dealership for a new complete wall! They did say that we would never have known however..the insulation between the wood board and the gel coat (I think its that?) had separated and water from the rear window had found a track through it thus causing damp and so a new rear panel was fitted. Again...Rear window had not been completely sealed and allowed the water to track through.
We eventually decided on a Delaware and it was the only truck that made me think that they had now sorted it out ! Nope ! Again a trip back to Grimsby for a brand new rear end. This time though in plastic! That stopped the problem with water ingress through the floor but the doors to the locker had to be replaced twice before it was sorted!
Now I actually loved that truck and by the time it had been sorted...I only kept it for a few months before health through a curve ball so it had to go. A second chance has come about but...I cannot get that motorhome back now but I know its in good hands somewhere on here . Whoever has got it will never have the problems that can come about on Autotrails and hopefully they never will either. Now my pension pot and my savings have been hammered most definitely . Would I have another one now ? Yes ...If they can just listen to the people who have had their issues and of course...look on the likes of the forums like this one. There are lots of owners of Autotrails that have them on here . Not every one has a problem. But those of us that have done ...just need to be looked at and responded to in the way that would make it a positive for the company rather than the negative that it is currently. They could be great ....just a shame that its not at this time.

Regards Kev

Your gluten for punishment aren’t you….

 

[Pausim]

Maybe AT should be given some credit for trying to improve the quality of there products.

In what way are they demonstrating this?

 

[Northernraider]

We have had a few to be honest. Started off with the Mohican ...Water ingress in locker under kitchen window found to be no sealant at base of window and inner rear corner to the locker causing failure. Factory supplied and nearly £4k to rectify. Second we had was an Apache 634 on a 13 plate...Rear lower lockers wet . Faulty sealant was apparently the cause? Photos showed it to be lack of a full bead of sealant around the rear driver side garage door. Grimsby replaced all items FOC but would have been in excess of £2200. Second apache 634 2017 had a plastic Cable tie from new I will add...holding the EHU connector in at the rear whistle the sealant was supposedly going off. Should have been removed but actually made it to us still fitted. Water ingress around that point causing ehu socket and electrical burn out due to shorting out. Went back and found....no sealant on the ehu!!! £750! Foc.
Now on this we should have given up hope and tried a different brand? No...decided on buying a 2015 scout! Thought it could not be as bad and actually carried out a lot of checks with an independent company before we made the purchase. Rather chuffed at the time . Then it went pear shaped yet again...a mark was noticed in the rear wall 3 parts of the way down under the window. Needed to go back in to the dealership for a new complete wall! They did say that we would never have known however..the insulation between the wood board and the gel coat (I think its that?) had separated and water from the rear window had found a track through it thus causing damp and so a new rear panel was fitted. Again...Rear window had not been completely sealed and allowed the water to track through.
We eventually decided on a Delaware and it was the only truck that made me think that they had now sorted it out ! Nope ! Again a trip back to Grimsby for a brand new rear end. This time though in plastic! That stopped the problem with water ingress through the floor but the doors to the locker had to be replaced twice before it was sorted!
Now I actually loved that truck and by the time it had been sorted...I only kept it for a few months before health through a curve ball so it had to go. A second chance has come about but...I cannot get that motorhome back now but I know its in good hands somewhere on here . Whoever has got it will never have the problems that can come about on Autotrails and hopefully they never will either. Now my pension pot and my savings have been hammered most definitely . Would I have another one now ? Yes ...If they can just listen to the people who have had their issues and of course...look on the likes of the forums like this one. There are lots of owners of Autotrails that have them on here . Not every one has a problem. But those of us that have done ...just need to be looked at and responded to in the way that would make it a positive for the company rather than the negative that it is currently. They could be great ....just a shame that its not at this time.

Regards Kev

Wow you really are a glutton for punishment. One leaky water trail would have been enough for most people but to buy 4 of them.

You'd have been better just punching yourself in the face a few times ..it would have been less painful

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Wow you really are a glutton for punishment. One leaky water trail would have been enough for most people but to buy 4 of them.

You'd have been better just punching yourself in the face a few times ..it would have been less painful

A Glutton maybe, but if the beloved has her preference of which truck we are to buy , then as you put it...'punching oneself in the face' would have been the lesser painful than taking on something she did not want and the aftermath of it....Trust me!
I'm Fortunate to be able to just wash it off and do it again and again for a peaceful life .
Costs ....Nothing ! All warrantied ! (warrantied..think that's correct? ... It was free)

Time waiting for the tasks to be carried out..consuming I suppose?

Getting what she wanted afterwards .....Priceless! I think I can say with a hand on my heart that I win hands down.


Kev

 

[Jake Royd]

You are spot on there. Probably the last one to make sure that they can display their posh ISO quality certs which mean very little in the real world

I used to have a little ploy when we were due to be audited by the BSI.
Who were able to look through my documents and ask me any question they liked or demand any evidence or proof
I would put a broken (in my case) diff case or pair of broken gears prominently on my desk. 9 times out of 10 it started a conversation and I got away with very light interrogation

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