TQM$/$Six Sigma quality control programs and best practices training are a means of increasing the S$/$Q ratings of both branded and private$-$label footwear produced at each production facility.

Workers are organized into $3-$person footwear production and assembly teams; each team has the capability to make $5,000$ pairs annually; and teams are compensated at the rate of $$12$ per pair produced during regular time and $$18$ per pair when facilities are operating at overtime.

Standard materials are used to make private$-$label shoes and superior materials are used to make branded footwear.

The company compensates production workers at the rate of $$2$ for each pair produced and uses TQM$/$Six Sigma quality control programs to keep reject rates under $1\mathrm{.}0\%$ of the branded pairs produced.

Branded production always takes place during regular time to save on labor costs, while the production of