Worldwide Quality Network, Inc. (WQN) has acquired Alpha Research Group (ARG)

Camarillo, Calif., May 8, 2007. WQN, Inc. announced today that it has agreed to acquire the Alpha Research Group (ARG) pioneered by Walter J. Michalski, Ed. D.

The acquisition combines one of the fastest growing quality management systems consulting, training, and development companies (WQN) with Dr. Michalski’s expertise in providing tools and workshops for quality improvement teams (ARG). The new resources that ARG and Dr. Michalski bring to the table will expand WQN’s capabilities and diversify our business strategy into the Six Sigma and LEAN market as well as new quality management system tools to be developed.

Dr. Michalski previously managed Alpha Research Group, a Quality/Process Improvement consulting firm specializing in providing the appropriate tools to assist organizational teams in their quality and process change initiatives. His work experience reflects 30 years in quality assurance, test/process engineering, and process improvement training. He has designed many problem-solving workshops and facilitated teams on quality issues, LEAN manufacturing, Six Sigma, process reengineering, integrated product development, continuous measurable improvement, customer satisfaction, quantitative and qualitative measurement/analysis, organizational change, and creative thinking techniques. As Adjunct Professor, he continues to facilitate at the graduate and undergraduate levels in the following subjects: research methods, statistics, TQM/TQS, project management, and leadership/organizational behavior. As Project Advisor, he has completed over 1900 student research projects, practicums, and theses.

Dr. Michalski was one of the original team members at Motorola when the Six Sigma concept was created. He is a Six Sigma Master and author of 5 books: 1) Six Sigma Tool Navigator™: The Master Guide for Teams, 2) 40 Tools for Cross-Functional Teams: Building Synergy for Breakthrough Creativity, 3) 40 Top Tools for Manufacturers: A Guide for Implementing Improvement Activities, 4) 40 Top Tools for Manufacturers: A Guide for Implementing Improvement Activities, 5) 75 “ToolStrings” for Teams: Tool Navigator™ Supplement for Team Activities

Dr. Michalski has also created over 30 workshops. His training has been used by many prime contractors that include Hughes Electronics and Aircraft, Allied Signal Aerospace, Rockwell International, McDonnell Douglas, GTE California, GTE Automatic Electric, Direct TV, Xerox, as well as many county and state agencies, colleges, and universities. WQN has obtained permission to use materials from these workshops as well as the intellectual property contained within the books. A sampling of the workshop titles are: Tools for Teams, Why Teams Fail, JIT/CTM Manufacturing, LEAN Manufacturing, Employee Motivation and Involvement, Cycle Time Management, Supervisory Development, Train the Trainer, Process mapping and Cycle Time Flowcharting, and Need and Task Analysis Workshop.

WQN has retained Dr. Michalski on our Advisory Board. He has also agreed to stay on as technical advisor for all of his previous work as well as development of new projects – workshops, tools, customized training, and books.

We are very proud to have Dr. Michalski on our team. We are also excited about the new opportunities ahead and look forward to sharing this will anyone in need of process improvement.