Be the Change You Want to See in the World: An Inspirational Story of Digital Tech Adoption

Seventeen years ago, YKK's Engineering Center welcomed a fresh, dedicated talent. They knew she was competent, eager, and armed with an impressive repertoire of engineering experience in the automotive field. What they did not realize then was that Kippy Hillhouse, in her relentless pursuit of excellence, would turn the wheels of change, galvanize a digital revolution, and reshape the company’s future.

Today, Hillhouse overlooks all business processes with a habit of disappearing behind them and reappearing only when she has achieved remarkable breakthroughs and improved business management systems.

She shares, “In all my years at YKK, I've developed a reputation. When someone needs to know about something and other people cannot provide the information, they say, ‘Ask Kippy.’”

And this responsibility is one she relishes.

YKK thrives on quality, a principle engraved into the company’s culture. Thus, when the company offered Hillhouse the position of Quality Systems Manager, she leaped at the opportunity to refine their operations further.

Spearheading digital transformations became Hillhouse's core mandate, replacing sluggish manual processes with the sophisticated software solutions of Salesforce and ComplianceQuest. She says, “Sometimes, people confuse me for an IT professional because of my avid focus on automation. I don't mind it. This responsibility empowers me to increase efficiency, improve our processes, and keep us on par with competitors.”

Patience, persistence, and clear communication have been Hillhouse's critical tools in reshaping the quality culture at YKK. Her Salesforce and ComplianceQuest implementation programs have resulted in much more than upgraded systems. They motivated and encouraged colleagues to raise their performance bar to meet and exceed her expectations, thereby fostering an atmosphere of constant improvement.

As she has observed, “When I invite someone to a meeting, they know I’m not asking for anything random. They are aware that I require progress.”

Perhaps Hillhouse’s most critical impact at YKK is her investment in people. As valuable and strategic changes were rolled out under her watchful eye, Hillhouse began taking employees from various departments under her wing — guiding and training them, sharing her knowledge, and holding them accountable. Ultimately, her efforts forged new leaders who could march ahead beside her, faster and further.

While Hillhouse reflects on her monumental contribution to YKK's success, she is mindful of the importance of constant growth. A master's degree from years back in IT—a degree partially completed, at that—eventually became a driving force behind her dedication to digitization and quality improvement.

“Even though it has been years since I learned to code, I can still find my way around it,” she explains with a glint in her eye, “That is my most significant growth — taking that old knowledge and reshaping it to give her an advantage in today’s digital world.”

As the face of quality systems at YKK, Hillhouse is an inspiration for others, a pillar of change, and, indeed, a quiet hero behind the company's formidable quality ethos. The portrait of resolve, competence, and dedication, she continually creates blueprints of excellence for the workforce. Nevertheless, the phrase “Ask Kippy” remains an unwavering testimonial to Kippy Hillhouse's undying pursuit of perfection at YKK, guiding it towards a progressive future, one automated system at a time.