In these challenging times, standing out from your competition
is more critical than ever. That's why thousands of small
companies are investing time and money to improve their
manufacturing processes so they can meet what are known as
"ISO 9000" standards. ("Iso" means
"equal" in Greek.)
The standards, established to encourage quality management and
manufacturing processes, are based in part on standards set by the
U.S. Department of Defense and international military organizations
for defense contractors. The International Organization for
Standardization in Switzerland publishes hundreds of standards for
just about every product made worldwide, according to ISO
experts.
Many big companies and prime government contractors prefer to do
business with ISO-certified manufacturing companies, according to
Charlie Scalies, president of Source4Quality.com, a consulting firm
that helps companies prepare to meet the standards and apply for
ISO certification. There are several companies authorized to issue
the actual certificates. "We are talking about process
management--that's what it's all about," said Scalies,
a former contract manager for Litton Industries. "You design
your manufacturing system so the process is seamless and everything
is trackable."
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Scalies likes to compare meeting ISO standards to the adventures
experienced by the characters in The Wizard of Oz. "You
must have qualified and trained people to make sure the Yellow
Brick Road is built right to get you to that big green thing called
Emerald City," he said.
Scalies works with many small clients to prepare them for the
certification process, which can take months and cost thousands of
dollars, depending on what equipment and systems are needed to
improve quality. Scalies also trains internal auditors to make sure
companies continue meeting the quality standards necessary to keep
their ISO certification. "We bring a lot more to the table
with ISO certification and new equipment," said Stephen Reh,
president of Rehtek Machine Co. in Passaic, New Jersey. Reh hired
Scalies to improve Rehtek's manufacturing processes so the
company could be ISO-certified last year.
Reh said he spent about $30,000 to upgrade equipment and
computerize operations at his 12-employee contract manufacturing
company. "The employees embraced the changes because we set
procedures that streamlined our manufacturing process, and
everything was done according to detailed instructions," he
said. Reh, who received a federal matching grant designed to help
small firms improve their manufacturing operations, said the ISO
certification process "transformed the business from a little
job shop to a contract production facility."
"Everything is traceable from when it comes in the door to
when it leaves," he said. "There is no more confusion on
the shop floor. With set procedures in place, I can sleep at night,
knowing everyone is making parts according to written
specifications."
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