What is an ISO 9001 Certified Foundry?
Learn about ISO 9001 Certification through the lens of an investment casting foundry. In this blog, we'll discuss the basics of this certification and how opting for a certified foundry can benefit your production cycles and business growth.
It's lunchtime, and you've been thinking about the deli across from the office all morning. Everything there is spot on; the bread, cheese, meat, pickles, and even their wax paper will keep your sub fresh if you decide to save some of it for later. How do they do it? Any good deli will tell you; that it's their standards. By committing to fresh ingredients, tried and tested recipes, and happy, motivated staff they can make an absolutely stellar product. In this blog, we will discuss standards and how they can set a foundry apart - just like our example deli!
What is ISO 9001 Certification?
ISO 9001 Certification refers to a specific standard that a foundry (or businesses in various sectors) must meet to demonstrate its competency in quality control and QMS (quality management systems) as well as a commitment to improving and adopting best practices both in the present and in the future through regular auditing.
Achieving ISO 9001 Certification indicates that a foundry is committed to maintaining high standards in its operations, which can lead to improved product quality, increased efficiency, and greater customer satisfaction. For businesses, partnering with a certified foundry can assure them they are working with a reliable partner that prioritizes quality and compliance.
So, Who or What is ISO?
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an independent, non-governmental organization that specializes in identifying and setting standards/best practices for businesses around the globe. They have certified businesses in 189 countries and are one of the largest and most widely recognized quality standards on the planet. They offer many different certifications beyond ISO 9001, but those are beyond the scope of this blog.
Certifications can be an important benchmark or even a requirement in industries like defense.
What does ISO 9001 Certification Entail for a Foundry?
ISO 9001 primarily revolves around adherence to quality control standards and management. Here are some of the key elements involved in achieving ISO 9001 Certification:
1. Quality Management System (QMS):
Foundries must develop and implement a robust QMS that covers their operations. In brief, this includes defining processes, setting objectives, and ensuring quality controls are in place at every stage of production, from onboarding to delivery.
2. Regular Audits and Assessments:
Certified foundries participate in regular internal and 3rd party audits. This isn't just a one-off certification, the standards must be continually met.
3. Documentation and Record Keeping:
To maintain ISO 9001 Certification, foundries keep records of their operations, including quality control measures, inspection reports, and employee training programs.
4. Training and Development:
Staff members receive ongoing training related to quality standards and practices. A certified foundry invests in and trains its employees to ensure they understand and excel in quality management efforts.
5. Continuous Improvement:
Attaining ISO 9001 Certification requires committing to continuous improvement. Foundries must regularly review their processes, identify areas for growth/improvement, and implement changes to boost efficiency and product quality.
6. Customer Feedback:
Certified foundries typically incorporate customer feedback into their quality management practices. By reviewing client needs and expectations, they can refine processes and improve satisfaction.
7. Compliance with other Industry Standards:
In addition to ISO 9001, foundries may need to comply with other industry-specific regulations and standards to align with the best practices and requirements of their market. For example, if a foundry produces castings in the government sector, it will likely be required to meet several other production standards.
ISO Certification Requires Robust QMS at Every Step of Production
How can an ISO Certified Foundry Help My Business?
Much like the example deli in the beginning of this article, having standards in place is a mark of an investment casting foundry's commitment to excellence. You can look at that stamp of approval and know their processes and production are up to snuff.
While certification isn't everything, it lets you know at a glance that you can trust their production processes. In your search for a quality production partner, it can help you narrow down candidates while you search for someone with the experience and quality communication you need to crush your production goals.
An ISO-Certified Foundry Can:
Instill trust before production even begins.
Provide quality castings in industries that require robust standards (military, marine, automotive, infrastructure, and more)
Get even better over time with their commitment to improvement and eliminating inefficiency.
Provide top-tier castings quickly and efficiently.
Help you enter new markets with quality benchmarks.
Find ways to improve your production cycles.
Take the stress out of searching for a dependable production partner.
Help you reach your production goals and quality standards for your products.
