What are the benefits of working with a 9001:2015 approved supplier?

Working with an ISO 9001:2015 approved supplier in the field of fabrication engineering manufacturing offers specific benefits that can enhance both the efficiency and quality of production processes.

Here are the key advantages to an approved ISO 9001 supplier like Acres Engineering:

• Consistent Quality: ISO 9001:2015 certification ensures that the supplier adheres to established quality management practices, leading to more consistent product quality. This is particularly important in fabrication engineering, where precision and adherence to specifications are critical.
• Reduced Errors and Rework: The quality management systems put in place by ISO 9001:2015 help in minimising errors in the manufacturing process. This leads to less rework, saving time and reducing waste, which is essential in cost-sensitive and precision-focused fabrication projects.
• Improved Supply Chain Management: ISO 9001:2015 certified suppliers are likely to have better supply chain management practices. This results in reliable delivery schedules and fewer disruptions, which is crucial for maintaining workflow in engineering projects.
• Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: By ensuring high-quality outputs and reliable delivery, ISO 9001:2015 suppliers contribute to higher customer satisfaction. Satisfied customers are likely to continue business relationships, providing a stable revenue stream and opportunities for growth.
• Competitive Advantage: Suppliers with ISO 9001:2015 certification have a competitive edge in the market. This certification can be a deciding factor when customers choose between potential suppliers, as it reassures them of the supplier’s commitment to quality.
• Better Process Integration: ISO 9001:2015 encourages the integration of various processes within the organisation. In fabrication engineering, this means that processes like design, production, and inspection are well-coordinated, leading to more efficient operations.
• International Standards Compliance: Since ISO 9001:2015 is an internationally recognised standard, working with certified suppliers ensures that the manufacturing practices meet global standards. This is particularly beneficial for companies looking to expand into international markets.
• Continuous Improvement: The ISO 9001:2015 framework promotes continuous improvement, pushing suppliers to constantly look for ways to enhance their processes and outputs. This leads to innovations and improvements in product design and manufacturing techniques, which can provide significant advantages in fabrication engineering.
• By choosing an ISO 9001:2015 certified supplier in the fabrication engineering manufacturing sector, companies can benefit from higher quality products, improved efficiency, and better overall performance, which are critical for maintaining competitiveness in this technical and precision-driven industry.

Acres have held ISO 9001 certification for many years providing our clients with quality assurance when engaging with us on fabrication and engineering projects.

While working with non-certified suppliers might be feasible, it introduces a higher level of risk and requires more diligent oversight and management to mitigate potential issues. Working with a supplier that lacks ISO 9001 certification carries several risks, including:

• Inconsistent Quality: Without the structured quality management systems of ISO 9001, product and service quality may vary, leading to potential non-compliance and higher defect rates.
• Poor Reliability: Non-certified suppliers might not have reliable production and delivery schedules, causing delays and affecting your ability to meet deadlines.
• Lack of Continuous Improvement: Suppliers without ISO 9001 certification may not systematically improve their processes, potentially causing them to lag in technology and efficiency.
• Increased Costs: The inefficiencies and higher defect rates from non-certified suppliers can lead to higher operational costs due to rework, returns, and increased auditing.
• Customer Dissatisfaction: Issues with product quality and delivery can lead to dissatisfaction among your customers, harming your business reputation.
• Challenges in Global Markets: Engaging with non-certified suppliers can be a barrier in international markets, where compliance with global standards like ISO 9001 is often required.
• Regulatory and Legal Risks: Suppliers not adhering to a recognised quality framework may also face more compliance issues, exposing your business to regulatory penalties and legal challenges.
• Communication and Documentation Issues: Non-ISO 9001 certified suppliers may lack efficient documentation and communication practices, leading to misunderstandings and errors.

How to become an ISO 9001 certified approved supplier like Acres Engineering? Becoming an ISO 9001 certified supplier is not a quick and easy process, it involves a series of steps designed to establish, document, and implement a quality management system (QMS) aligned with the principles and requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standard. Here’s a general guide on how to achieve ISO 9001 certification:

1. Understand the Requirements: First, gain a thorough understanding of the ISO 9001:2015 standards. These cover various aspects of quality management systems, including customer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decision-making, and relationship management.
2. Commitment from Management: Secure commitment from top management. ISO 9001 certification requires leadership involvement to ensure the QMS is properly integrated into strategic directions and that resources are available.
3. Gap Analysis: Conduct a gap analysis to compare your current processes with ISO 9001 requirements. This will help identify areas that need improvement or changes to meet the standard’s criteria.
4. Develop a QMS: Develop your quality management system documentation. This includes creating a quality policy, quality objectives, and documented procedures that are required by the standard. Also, develop other documents and records that support the effective planning, operation, and control of your processes.
5. Implement the QMS: Implement your new quality management system throughout your organization. This involves training employees on the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standard and their specific roles within the system.
6. Internal Audits: Once the QMS is implemented, conduct internal audits to ensure that the processes are being followed and that they meet the ISO 9001 criteria. Use the results to correct, address, and improve any deficiencies.
7. Management Review: Conduct a management review with top management to evaluate the effectiveness of the QMS and identify areas for improvement.
8. Choose a Certification Body: Select an accredited certification body to perform the external audit. Make sure the certification body is recognized and accredited under a reputable accreditation board, as this adds to the credibility of your certification.
9. External Audit: Undergo an external audit where an auditor from the certification body assesses the effectiveness of your QMS against the ISO 9001:2015 standards. This usually involves a stage 1 (preliminary review) and stage 2 (detailed audit) process.
10. Address Non-conformances: If any non-conformances are identified during the audit, these need to be corrected. You might need to take corrective actions and possibly schedule a follow-up audit to verify the effectiveness of these actions.
11. Certification: Once compliance with ISO 9001:2015 is confirmed and any issues are resolved, the certification body will issue an ISO 9001 certificate. This certification is typically valid for three years, subject to periodic surveillance audits to ensure ongoing compliance.
12. Continuous Improvement: Continually improve your QMS to enhance its effectiveness, in line with the principles of the ISO 9001 standard.