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The Continuous Improvement Award is presented to the organization that exemplifies the use of systems of continuous improvement methodology that drive organizational behaviors aligned to a visual, detailed action plan and timeline. Reviewers will be looking for evidence that standards and work instructions are simple and visual for all work processes. It is important to provide examples of improvements made by following a scientific method, such as PDCA or DMAIC methodology.
Engineering Better Systems: How Queen City Engineering & Design Built a Culture of Continuous Improvement
At Queen City Engineering & Design, great engineering is about more than technical expertise—it’s about solving real-world problems. Founded in 2015 and based in Concord, North Carolina, the company has grown into a full-service engineering and product development organization that helps manufacturers bring ideas to life, from concept and design to prototyping, fabrication, and final implementation.
Today, Queen City Engineering & Design supports organizations across industries, including manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and public infrastructure. What sets the company apart is its ability to both design and build solutions in-house, enabling customers to move quickly from concept to real-world implementation.
That commitment to efficiency and innovation is why Queen City Engineering & Design has been named the 2026 State Manufacturing Leadership Award winner for Continuous Improvement.
Building Systems That Support Growth
As the company expanded over the past decade, leadership recognized that growth required more than technical talent—it required strong systems and repeatable processes.
Ashley Carriker, Director of Operations, has played a key role in building the internal systems that allow the organization to scale while maintaining quality and responsiveness.
“As the company started to grow, our processes needed to evolve,” Carriker explained. “We focused on implementing systems that improved communication, visibility, and efficiency across the organization while maintaining the quality our customers expect.”
That effort led to a series of strategic initiatives aimed at improving operations company-wide.
ISO 9001: The Catalyst for Improvement
In 2020, Queen City Engineering & Design began its ISO 9001 certification journey with support from a CARES Act grant through NCMEP. Initially, the process seemed daunting, requiring extensive documentation and process standardization.
However, once implemented, the ISO framework became the catalyst for a broader culture of continuous improvement.
“Once we started seeing how those processes helped us, we began applying the same principles throughout the organization,” Carriker said.
ISO 9001 helped establish standardized procedures across design, production, customer communication, and quality management. The result was greater consistency, stronger accountability, and increased confidence from customers and partners.
Technology That Improves Efficiency
To further streamline operations, the company implemented several advanced systems that dramatically improved workflow efficiency.
An integrated ERP system centralized project management, purchasing, scheduling, and inventory management. The new system provides real-time visibility into projects, resources, and costs—helping teams make faster, more informed decisions.
Inventory accuracy also improved significantly. With automated tracking and reorder points in place, the company reduced excess stock while ensuring critical materials are always available when needed.
In addition, the team implemented an advanced scheduling system that uses automation to coordinate engineering, fabrication, and installation activities. What once required hours of manual scheduling can now be completed in minutes, allowing project managers to focus more time on delivering value to customers.
Strengthening the Supply Chain
Continuous improvement also extended beyond internal operations.
Queen City Engineering & Design developed a formal supplier management system to ensure outside vendors meet the same standards expected within the company. Vendors are evaluated based on quality, reliability, delivery performance, and cost, and are provided with clear documentation outlining expectations for packaging, communication, and compliance.
These systems help ensure that every component—whether produced internally or externally—meets the company’s high quality standards.
Investing in People
Alongside improvements in technology and processes, Queen City Engineering & Design has also strengthened its hiring and onboarding practices.
Structured recruiting and training programs ensure that new employees quickly understand company expectations and processes. This consistency helps new team members contribute more quickly while maintaining the organization’s strong culture of collaboration and quality.
Improved systems have also made the company more attractive to experienced engineers and technical professionals looking for a workplace where they can grow and make an impact.
Opening Doors to New Opportunities
The results of these improvements have been transformative.
By strengthening quality systems and operational processes, Queen City Engineering & Design has been able to expand into new markets. The company’s transit-focused division, Queen City Transit Solutions, now supplies driver barrier systems to major bus manufacturers and dealers across the country.
The company has recently been onboarded as a supplier for leading manufacturers including Forest River and Gillig—an achievement that requires the rigorous quality standards and documentation made possible by ISO certification and robust operational systems.
“These partnerships wouldn’t have been possible without the systems we’ve put in place,” Carriker said. “The quality management, ERP, and supplier processes are requirements to be a Tier One supplier.”
A Culture That Never Stops Improving
From ISO certification and ERP implementation to scheduling automation, supplier management, and workforce development, Queen City Engineering & Design has built a comprehensive system for continuous improvement.
These initiatives not only improve operational efficiency but also strengthen customer trust, employee engagement, and long-term business growth.
Looking ahead, the company remains committed to refining its processes, investing in new technology, and expanding the innovative solutions it delivers to customers.
For Queen City Engineering & Design, continuous improvement is more than a methodology—it’s a mindset that drives everything the organization does.
And it’s a mindset that continues to position the company—and its customers—for success.
