In seeking the services of a metal fabrication company, it’s a safe bet that one that has the capability to control all aspects of production and manufacturing will provide the best service. Whether your needs require punching or painting, if the entire process can be done under one roof it’s likely that quality, competitive pricing, and reduced lead times should follow. Metal fabrication, as with any industry, is governed by a set of protocols, industry standards, and certifications. A true sign of superiority in production and manufacturing is with an ISO certified fabrication company.
Specifically, if a metal fabrication company is ISO 9001 certified it has met the highest standards of quality management. The company can ensure that their products and services consistently meet customer’s requirements, and more importantly, that quality is consistently improved upon
What is ISO 9001 Certification?
One of the main benefits of doing business with a certified metal fabrication company is knowing they have met the criteria for a quality management system as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
The ISO is an independent, non-governmental international organization with a membership of 162 national standards bodies. It establishes guidelines, requirements, and specifications for products, services, and systems to ensure quality, safety and efficiency. It works to harmonize its standards with those of regulatory agencies and bodies around the world.
The importance of ISO 9001 cannot be understated. It is the only standard in the ISO 9000 series in which companies and organizations can receive certification. Because it applies to a wide range of industries, it serves as the international standard for quality management systems for companies, businesses, and organizations across the world. First written and published in 1987, updated versions have been published in 1994, 2000, 2008, and the latest version, ISO 9001:2015.
About the Certification
ISO 9001 certification not only means a company has achieved the International Standard that defines the criteria for the development, implementation, and effectiveness of a quality management system, but it has established customer-oriented quality management principles. The ISO 9001 standard focuses on seven customer-oriented quality management principles to ensure consistent, quality services and products for customers. The implementation of these standards also, in turn, rewards businesses with success.
The seven ISO 9001 principles:
- Customer focus
- Leadership
- Engagement of people
- Process approach
- Improvement
- Evidence-based decision making
- Relationship management
Keep in mind that ISO 9001 is not a product standard, but a tool to control a company’s processes and a quality system that its end products should meet.
Notably, ISO 9001 is not a membership group. A company or organization doesn’t ‘join’ ISO 9001. It must meet the criteria as defined in the certification requirements and pass the ISO audit. Once passed, the ISO registrar issues an ISO 9001 Certificate good for a three-year period.
Benchmark for Quality Management Systems
Developing and establishing international standards provides a benchmark for quality management systems. It provides an overarching consistency for private and public sectors often subjected to bureaucratic regulation that tends to take a piecemeal approach in addressing evolving system requirements. ISO 9001 was developed to avoid such inconsistencies and to achieve a uniformity of objectives for quality management systems.
Quest-Tech was first ISO 9001 certified as of 1994. The company has consistently met the criteria for effective quality management – including a strong customer-oriented focus, motivated to serve from top management to the floor.
ISO 9001 certification helps Quest-Tech ensure that customers get consistent, superior products and services. If you want to learn more about ISO 9001 certification or our metal fabrication services, contact us today!
