World Quality Day at Ecowipes [INTERVIEW]
At Ecowipes, we believe that quality is more than just procedures and standards — it’s a philosophy that permeates every aspect of our work. On the occasion of World Quality Day, we invite you to read an inspiring interview with Łukasz Pyzioł, Quality Director at Ecowipes, who shares how we maintain the highest standards and continually raise the bar in our daily operations.
What does your typical workday look like?
Łukasz Pyzioł: I start with coffee! I’m addicted to it and can’t imagine a morning without it — no matter where I am. Once it’s on my desk, I greet the team on Teams with a quick “Good morning!”, which often turns into a short exchange of key updates. Before I finish my coffee, I review our Quality Dashboard, which aggregates data on nonconformities and complaints, and then I check emails, my calendar, and planner to prepare for meetings.
What challenges do you face most often?
ŁP: Every day is an adventure! It may be hard to believe, but there’s no such thing as boredom in quality. Luckily, I’m surrounded by a very competent team. Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Complaints – these are experienced and dedicated people who know the organization inside out, understand its strengths and weaknesses, and can keep a cool head in any situation.
What moments bring you the greatest satisfaction?
ŁP: I really enjoy the part of my job that feels like solving puzzles. When a nonconformity or complaint arises, we need to find its root cause. It’s a team effort – and the joint process of getting to the bottom of it is fascinating. We bring together a group of engaged people, exchange knowledge and experience, and search for answers. The satisfaction comes when we find a solution. This year, we implemented a process that helps us work more effectively – and we’re constantly improving it. Now, terms like “nonconformity” or “8D Report” no longer scare anyone! That’s thanks to our people’s engagement.
Challenges are best faced together, which is why collaboration with other departments, especially those closest to the “problem,” is key.
How do you define “quality” – in products, processes, or perhaps teamwork?
ŁP: Quality may sound simple, but in practice it’s a complex and multi-layered concept. In short, it’s the ability to meet user needs safely and in compliance with regulations. But we can expand this definition – for example, if we were building a spacecraft to Mars, we’d add “reliability,” because safety and reliability go hand in hand.
Remember, quality is not just about the product – it’s also about the consistency and efficiency of processes: their productivity, waste levels, and so on.
IT process quality is becoming increasingly important too – from data security to system and application optimization. And let’s not forget the quality of marketing communication – clear, correct, and well-thought-out.
Let’s care about quality at every level – because it’s what builds trust and competitive advantage.
How does the Quality Department cooperate with other departments, such as Production or R&D?
ŁP: It’s a complex topic. The R&D team has tremendous creative power – they look for new solutions and create prototypes. Production, on the other hand, is about standardization, pace, technology, and scale. Quality focuses on compliance and adherence to standards. In practice, we have three key players who must speak the same language, know their roles, and adapt to changes at the same pace.
That’s why it’s so important not to build silos but to integrate people and foster a culture of quality.
A good example of this collaboration is the training on nonconformities we prepared at the beginning of my time at Ecowipes – to ensure we all understand and use the same definitions.
What qualities are most important when working in a quality team?
ŁP: That’s an easy one! Above all – analytical thinking and the ability to connect the dots. Whether someone works in Quality Assurance, Incoming Inspection, Microbiology, Physical Chemistry, or Complaints – attention to detail, accuracy, and logical thinking are key.
As I mentioned, “quality” is a very broad concept – the scope of work can vary greatly. One person might be an expert in operating an HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography, used to analyze the quantity of preservatives, among other things), while another might specialize in legal or audit requirements. The common denominator is one thing: high quality of work.
How is the approach to quality changing in the industry? What trends do you observe?
ŁP: The approach to quality has changed dramatically over the past decade, mainly thanks to the development of data collection and analysis technologies. Not long ago, companies focused on end-product inspection and defect detection, analyzing results with simple statistical methods.
Today, quality control is active at every stage of the product life cycle – from design to production – to work preventively.
Thanks to IT technologies, modern quality management can monitor processes in real time, working hand in hand with production on rapid response, risk management, and parameter adjustments.
Moreover, quality management now extends beyond laboratories. Modern companies implement integrated quality management systems that encompass informational, financial, and logistical processes – as well as non-financial ones, such as social and ethical areas aligned with ESG requirements. This means that a company’s impact on employee well-being and supply chain ethics is also assessed.
How do you see the future of the Quality Department at Ecowipes – what direction is worth developing?
ŁP: We’re currently preparing our quality strategy for the next two years. Without revealing too many details, I can say one thing: less control, more prevention.
We’re planning further digitalization and automation, integration of production data, and initiatives focused on better understanding the market.
We also plan to integrate quality processes with our factory in France.
There’s a lot ahead – we definitely won’t get bored!
What are the most important quality certifications that Ecowipes holds, and what do they mean in practice?
ŁP: The main reasons for implementing certifications in social and non-financial areas are to ensure appropriate standards of work, safety, and ethics, as well as to meet stakeholder expectations in terms of corporate social responsibility.
Certifications help formalize actions to improve working conditions, protect the environment, and promote sustainable development. They enhance market credibility, increase customer and investor trust, and help companies meet growing regulatory and social demands.
In practice, certification supports better management quality, sustainable development policies, and positively influences the broader social environment.
Why are certifications so important for customer and business partner trust?
ŁP: Certifications build credibility and trust. They are proof of compliance with globally recognized standards that minimize errors, control processes, and secure supply chains. Thanks to them, our clients know they are working with a company that has low risk and high reliability – and that the products they buy from us are competitive on the market.
Certification also drives continuous organizational improvement – increasing efficiency, workplace safety, and reducing environmental impact. It’s a key tool in building trust and in gaining and maintaining major clients. That’s why we place such great importance on it.
We’ve built an engaged and effective Quality Assurance team that continuously supports improvement processes and the implementation of certification requirements.
What do you like most about your job?
ŁP: It’s an incredibly engaging, diverse, and fascinating role. I have a real impact on the quality of the final product – the one I later see on store shelves. It’s a great feeling to realize how many people use our products. And although quality might seem predictable and repetitive – I assure you, in this field, there’s no instruction manual.
What’s your “secret to quality”?
ŁP: Teamwork.
If you had to describe quality in three words – what would they be?
ŁP: I won’t answer in three words! Clients and quality professionals use different languages to describe it. A client sees it through their experience – in our case, that means the aesthetics and functionality of the product. A quality expert focuses on compliance and precision.
So I’ll put it this way: “Quality is the sum of fulfilled requirements that ensure promises are kept – and ultimately lead to success.”
