Protecting Quality at Every Step: a Conversation with our Quality Manager

At APS – Advanced Printing Systems, the Quality Department plays a vital role in ensuring every thermal printer meets the highest standards of reliability, performance, and compliance. From inspecting incoming components to validating finished products, and driving continuous improvement, the team works across the entire manufacturing process to build quality into every product.

We spoke with Georgi Kolev, Quality Manager, about the department’s responsibilities, the challenges of maintaining world-class quality standards, and the culture of collaboration and continuous improvement that helps APS deliver trusted solutions to customers around the world.

What makes me most proud is the commitment I see every day across the Quality, Engineering, and Production teams. Together, we solve complex technical challenges, and the solutions we develop and validate ultimately reach customers around the world.
Georgi Kolev

A Department focused on Excellence

As Quality Manager, Georgi leads the team responsible for ensuring APS thermal printers meet the highest standards of quality, reliability, and regulatory compliance throughout the entire production process.

The department’s role extends beyond inspections. By developing strong quality management systems, preventing defects before they occur, and continuously improving processes, the team helps APS remain a trusted and competitive partner for customers around the world.

“Our role is to ensure the quality of our thermal printers at every stage, from incoming components to the finished product delivered to the customer.”

Meeting High Standards without Slowing Production

One recent achievement perfectly demonstrates the team’s approach to quality.

APS successfully completed its IATF 16949 surveillance audit: a comprehensive four-day assessment against one of the most demanding quality standards in the automotive industry.

The challenge was not simply passing the audit, but doing so while maintaining normal production activities. Achieving this required a thorough review of internal processes, strengthened documentation, and close coordination across multiple departments under demanding deadlines.

“The challenge wasn’t simply passing the audit; it was maintaining our certification without disrupting daily production.”

Collaboration that delivers Results

Preparing for the audit brought together teams from Quality, Production, Engineering, and Logistics, all working toward a common goal.

Together, they reviewed procedures, closed identified gaps, refined documentation, and ensured every process met the required standards. The result was a successful audit, continued certification, and very positive feedback from the external auditor.

For Georgi, the experience highlighted something even more valuable than the certification itself.

“Our quality culture is not just documented, it is embedded in the way we work every day.”

A Team driven by Continuous Improvement

Working in quality requires both precision and flexibility.

According to Georgi, what makes his team stand out is not only their discipline in following procedures, but also their curiosity to understand problems at their source.

Rather than focusing on quick fixes, the team is committed to identifying root causes and implementing long-term improvements that strengthen the entire organization.

“We don’t just solve problems, we want to understand why they happened in the first place.”

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Finding Pride in Shared Responsibility

For Georgi, the greatest source of pride comes from the collaboration between departments, and the impact their work has on customers worldwide.

Every improvement, every validated process, and every successfully delivered product reflects the combined efforts of Quality, Engineering, Production, and many other teams working toward the same objective.

“Knowing that our work has such a broad impact, and the responsibility that comes with it, gives real meaning to what we do every day.”

In Practice: Building Quality into Every Product

Quality at APS begins long before a product reaches final inspection. The Quality team monitors every stage of the manufacturing process, from incoming component verification and process control to final product validation and compliance with international standards.

Working closely with Engineering, Production, and Logistics, the department continuously improves procedures, prevents defects, and ensures every thermal printer leaving APS delivers the reliability and performance customers expect.

Building the Future of APS

Behind every APS thermal printer is a strong commitment to quality. By combining robust quality management systems, continuous improvement, and close collaboration across departments, the Quality team helps APS maintain the highest industry standards, while supporting customers around the world with products they can trust.