EVVA manages many millions of cylinders and keys as well as several hundred thousand locking systems for companies, public institutions and private individuals. All EVVA products pass through several inspection steps – such as in the in-house test laboratory – before they are released for sale. Since its founding, EVVA has produced an estimated 120 million security cylinders and even more keys. Special techniques are required for these quantities and complex manufacturing processes, which must be accurate to a hundredth of a millimetre.
Economic impact:
Around 450 retail partners who distribute our products worldwide participated in our latest large partner survey. The quality and durability of mechanical EVVA locking systems were rated at a very good 1.43 (on a 4-stage scale).
Quality requires a provider of high-quality and highly secure security solutions. The quality standard must start with research and development (see Permanent Innovation ) and - especially for a highly reliable product such as a security cylinder - cover the entire product life cycle. Security is based on trust, and trust is based on quality. "Quality will always be the top priority at EVVA. Quality is teamwork, and everyone is responsible for it," says EVVA CEO Stefan Ehrlich-Adám. And this is an ongoing, eternal process, because quality orientation never ends.
Impact on the environment and society:
Durable products EVVA products have a very long shelf life - e.g. 30 years for mechanical locking cylinders in accordance with the EPDs (Environmental Product Declaration, see Certifications), which has a positive impact on the environment. This is due to high-quality manufacturing processes and a quality standard that enables decades of security. EVVA continues to receive many reorders of systems that have been in use for half a century and longer - such as for over a thousand units of an EVVA cylinder system that was produced and installed in the mid-1940s, around 80 years ago! (Photo: an EVVA additional lock from the 1930s or 1940s that still performs its duties today in an old apartment.)
An EVVA security cylinder is an asset that lasts for generations; you can remove it and continue to use it in your next home. EVVA differs significantly from low-cost suppliers in terms of production, product range and service. The sense of security that EVVA products provide is based on this quality standard. The long service life of our products is a valuable contribution to the circular economy.
One more word on the topic of repairs: EVVA products are rarely repaired. If so, it would in most cases be more cost-effective for EVVA to replace it rather than repair it. But that contradicts our position vis-à-vis the throwaway society. We want to avoid waste, especially because mostly only one component is affected and the product can still be used for decades afterwards. That’s why EVVA still offers a repair service. Electronic components, for example, are checked at EVVA’s ELREZ (electronics repair centre).
EVVA measures to increase quality and prevent errors:
Overall test concept It was introduced a few years ago and is now standard in all EVVA development projects: 1) Most checks are carried out in the module or component test. Here, the smallest units are checked for errors (e.g. mechanical components or drawings or software modules) 2) The integration test checks the interaction of several components (e.g. an electronics module, drilling protection) 3) The system test answers the question: “How well does the product work on its own?” (e.g. a mechanical thumbturn cylinder, the software for an electronic lock system, etc.) 4) The overall system test checks whether the individual products work together smoothly in the overall system. e.g. the software with the app and the door components 5) The field test checks the behaviour of an overall system under selected customer conditions
“Team 122” - the fire brigade in production Team 122 consists of various EVVA professionals. It meets daily and checks current orders: Are there challenges that could jeopardise EVVA’s high quality? It quickly organises any missing parts or personnel resources and prioritises important jobs. Team 122 manages critical situations to keep to the promised delivery time. Picture on right: The fitters inform the team via a production app on the monitor
EPOS (EVVA production system) This EVVA initiative looks at all optimisation projects in production holistically and no longer in isolation as before. Lean management tools are used across departments. Such as the 6S principle (create security, create order, sort out … so that all materials are exactly in the right place) or Kanban (so that all materials are available in the right quantity and at the right time). EPOS teams also come up with their own quality improvement suggestions
QSP (Quality with (s)lean processes) The current QSP project analyses the entire EVVA process landscape - from business concepts to machine provision and market launches. For example, it checks that all processes are clearly defined and have clear interfaces to avoid duplication of effort
During the reporting period, EVVA implemented numerous digitisation projects to automate work steps and thus reduce the susceptibility to errors. For example, with AI applications. Read more under Digitisation
EVVA manufactures to the tightest tolerancesManufacturing down to the smallest burr Burrs can occur during production, i.e. sharp edges or flaws on the product, which not only impair the function but can also cause injuries. EVVA has reorganised the maintenance schedules for the relevant machines, checked them more closely and fitted the machines with sensors so that wear parts (such as broaching needles or rotary blades) can be replaced promptly. Disruptions or order rescheduling due to burred parts have practically ceased to occur.
More internal audits It is not only external testing institutes that regularly test our quality. EVVA has intensified its own internal audits in recent years, including machine maintenance. In the so-called self-monitoring audit, a company undertakes to keep products continually up to date with the latest technology. The advantage: EVVA does not wait for external testers to discover an error, but constantly puts itself to the test. The photo shows an employee at the service life testing machine. The standard demands that mechanical cylinders must fulfil at least 100,000 locking cycles (i.e. approximately 400,000 locking operations). Self-monitoring is also a decisive factor in ensuring that our products receive their annual system certificates according to EN1303:2015
Test on the service life test machineEVVA generally subjects its in-house developed products to an FMEA analysis (failure mode and effect analysis). In this process, possible shortcomings are identified during the development process and evaluated with points according to probability and impact. This can concern the design, the manufacturing processes or the interaction of components. Preventive measures must be taken from a certain number of points
Since EVVA complies with all regulations, our products can be used without hesitation throughout their entire product life cycle (e.g. with regard to electrical safety or batteries). All product labels are correctly applied (e.g. with usage, composition, battery identification, etc.). There has never been a contravention of legislation. All products are tested during the development process and in our in-house test laboratory not only for functionality, durability or long-term use, but also for safe use.
AT
DE
DE
UK
INT
Durable products
“Team 122” - the fire brigade in production
How would you like to share?