News Index

August 25, 2005

Welding Technology Corporation (WTC), a resistance welding solution provider, announces that it has achieved conversion to ISO 9001:2000 certification from BSI, Inc., a quality management systems registrar, having previously been registered to ISO 9000:1994 and QS 9000 with TE Supplement.

The ISO 9000:2000 standards, released in December 2000 as the successor to ISO 9000:1994, is an internationally recognized quality management system standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO 9000:1994 was a procedure based Quality Management System (QMS). ISO 9000:2000 is process based and enables organizations to link business objectives with business effectiveness more directly.

To be certified to the standard, companies must implement a QMS embracing the activities of the company from staff training to taking the instruction from the customer, the design and development of products, the purchasing of materials and services and the delivery of the products and services. This is done using proven quality principles and process management, demonstrating steps taken to provide customers the products and services pledged by WTC. Certification to ISO 9001:2000 reinforces to customers through an independent third-party, that WTC operates a QMS in accordance with the standard.

"WTC has always been committed to providing the highest levels of sales and service excellence, as demonstrated by our ISO 9000:1994 certification" stated Durrell G. Miller, WTC's Chairman & President. "We are proud to now be certified to ISO 9000:2000. This demonstrates that our focus remains on quality, world-class performance, and continuously monitoring our business operations to ensure that we deliver on the promises we make to our customers, team members, suppliers, and partners."

As part of the registration process, BSI performed an on-site assessment, examined WTC's documented procedures, and audited its overall operations. To determine continued compliance with ISO 9001:2000, as with ISO 9000:1994 and QS9000 / TE Supplement, BSI will periodically conduct routine surveillance audits of WTC's business operations.

"WTC Team Members worked diligently to review the procedures based QMS and re- implement it on a processes basis, while other team members also performed internal audits to ensure conformance," stated Miriam Kmetzo, WTC's Quality Director. "We are very proud to have gained certification. This activity has benefited greatly in further improving our systems, as well as greatly reducing the documentation required. By basing our system around processes, reducing our documentation and using ISO 9001:2000 as an extra set of eyes, WTC, will be able to improve quality and remain at the cutting edge of our industry. ISO 9001:2000 certification can only serve to improve an already top-of-the-line business."