The Report of the Independent Takata Corporation Quality Assurance Panel Released Today

CHICAGO, Feb. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Independent Takata Corporation Quality Assurance Panel, tasked with conducting an unbiased review of Takata's current quality-related practices, today released its report titled, Ensuring Quality Across the Board. The report can be found at www.takatapanel.com.

The Panel, led by former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and White House Chief of Staff Samuel Skinner, was created to review how Takata responds to concerns about quality; review Takata's current manufacturing procedures for best practices in the production of safe inflators; and make recommendations about how Takata can improve moving forward.

The Panel focused on current quality-related practices, and did not evaluate the products that prompted the current recalls or the processes employed when the products of concern were manufactured.

Panel members include:

• Marion C. Blakey, Administrator of the FAA (2002-2007); NHTSA Administrator (1992-1993)
• Nelda J. Connors, former automotive executive; CEO Pine Grove Holdings, LLC
• John C. Landgraf, former executive vice president Abbott Laboratories (1977-2015) 
• Dr. Julio M. Ottino, Dean, Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, Northwestern University
• Dr. Jeffrey Runge, NHTSA Administrator (2001-2005)
• John W. Snow, U.S. Secretary of Treasury (2003-2006), NHTSA Administrator (1976-1977)

"Consumer safety is paramount, and product quality is a vital component of product safety," said Samuel Skinner, chairman of the Independent Takata Corporation Quality Assurance Panel. "The Panel spent 12 months examining Takata's current quality practices, and made significant recommendations to improve the quality operation and ensure that the company meets the highest standards of product safety."

Skinner added, "Takata has committed to us that leadership will do everything within its power to implement the Panel's recommendations. In order to do so, Takata should create a team to oversee the implementation of the recommendations and create a comprehensive quality training program to facilitate and guide implementation. We expect Takata to update the Panel on progress in approximately one year."

Download the report: www.takatapanel.com. An audio news conference about the Panel's findings takes place on Feb. 2, 2016, 10 a.m. ET. Skinner is available for questions during the news conference. Media may access the news conference by calling (844) 529-0686 (U.S. callers) or (970) 372-2155 (international) with the conference ID of 41464091. A replay of the press conference will be available 24 hours following the event at www.takatapanel.com.

SOURCE Independent Takata Corporation Quality Assurance Panel

Related Links

http://www.takatapanel.com