Product category:
Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware
News Release from: Southco
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 27 February 2004
Global recognition for automotive
quality
Southco's commitment to developing quality management systems has been recognised by achieving accreditation of the prestigious international standard ISO/TS16949:2002.
Southco's commitment to developing quality management systems has been recognised by achieving accreditation of the prestigious international standard ISO/TS16949:2002 Southco becomes the first and largest of companies audited by the Bureau Veritas Quality International (BVQi) to pass through the IATF without a veto
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 20 Nov 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The requirements embodied in the standard represent a single, worldwide quality measurement that has become a benchmark that all major OEMs in the automotive industry are requiring their suppliers to achieve - and is increasing becoming the quality standard used by customers in industries other than automotive.
The ISO/TS16949:2002 standard was developed by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF), which represents major auto manufacturers around the world, in collaboration with the International Standards Organisation.
The standard specifies the quality system requirements for the design/ development, production, installation and servicing of products.
It is applicable only to sites where production or service parts are manufactured.
The rigorous certification process examines all operational processes throughout an organisation.
Southco is also one of the few companies to have all facilities certified under one corporate scheme, demonstrating consistent quality regardless of the factory.
According to Brian McNeill, President and CEO of Southco, more and more OEMs are pushing their suppliers, who in turn are pushing component suppliers to become accredited.
McNeill notes that Southco's ISO/TS16949 accreditation can only help enhance the company's working relationships with customers around the world, regardless of the industry.
Says McNeill: "ISO/TS16949 certification is a visible confirmation of quality practices that we've had in place for years.
Our Worcester plant has already been recognised by one of the most prestigious awards in manufacturing in the UK when it received the Manufacturing Today Factory of the Year Award in 2002.
This standard reinforces Southco's global commitment to operational excellence by communicating to the world our constant dedication to quality in manufacturing, operations, and customer service".
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