ISO 9001 Archives - Page 6 of 6 - Means Engineering, Inc.

Benefits of Contract Manufacturing

July 14, 2017 By meiadmin

Benefits of Contract Manufacturing

A contract manufacturer creates products and their components under the label or brand of the companies that hire them. Contract manufacturing is an excellent option for companies that wish to increase their product line but do not have the staff or resources necessary to do so. Contract manufacturing is used to create products for a wide range of industries. It has a number of benefits for companies of all shapes and sizes.

Contract Manufacturing Saves Time

Hiring a contract manufacturer can save a company a considerable amount of time and resources. Companies that use contract manufacturing services do not have to go through the lengthy process of hiring and training new employees to fulfill orders. They do not need to locate a new facility or obtain the equipment necessary for production. The contract manufacturer provides everything needed to produce high quality products. This provides more time for managers to focus on other important aspects of their business.

Contract Manufacturing Saves Money

Perhaps the biggest benefit of contract manufacturing is the cost savings. Companies that hire a contract manufacturer save money on equipment, facility fees and additional employees. In addition, contract manufacturers are typically able to produce parts at a fraction of the cost of in-house production. Contract manufacturing is ideal for the development and testing of new products. A contract manufacturer can also be useful in fulfilling orders when demand for a specific product is high.

High Quality Products

It takes a lot of training and experience to create high quality products. This type of expertise isn’t always feasible when producing products in-house. Sensitive parts, such as those used in electronic devices must be created in a cleanroom environment. This prevents contamination which can affect the reliability of the finished product. A contract manufacturer has the training, experience, equipment and quality control processes necessary to create high quality, reliable products time and time again.

When selecting a contract manufacturer to work with, consider a company that has experience working with a number of different industries. They should have a Quality Management System registered to ISO 9001 and AS 9100.

Evolution of AS9100 from Rev C to Rev D

June 9, 2017 By meiadmin

Evolution of AS9100 from Rev C to Rev D

AS9100 is the internationally adopted Quality Management System (QMS) for the aerospace industry. It is currently being updated from Rev C to Rev D. The latest changes to AS9100 reflect the needs of a changing marketplace.

After September 15, 2018, AS9100 Rev C will no longer be valid. All organizations are required to transition to AS9100 Rev D by this time. The revisions incorporate changes made by ISO TC176 to the embedded ISO 9001 standard.

Improving Quality and Reliability

The overall performance and success of an organization relies on the quality of its products and services. Customer expectations in regards to quality and reliability are getting more and more stringent in the aerospace and defense sector. This is reflected by the importance being placed on AS9100 to drive consistent quality and reliability through the supply chain.

In today’s competitive business environment, evolution of the QMS is quickly becoming necessary as executives attempt to improve quality and performance. The new AS9100 is based on the updated ISO9001 with the addition of aviation, space and defense industry requirements. The focus of the revision is to add clarity and enhance ease of use.

Preparing for the Update

Rev D represents a major change. As such, it requires leadership and facilitation. It’s important for organizations to think about the required changes, prepare for them being continuous and manage any resistance within their organization.

Organizations must identify any organizational gaps that need to be addressed in order to meet the new requirements. Appropriate training should be given to all parties that have an impact on the effectiveness of the organization. The existing QMS must also be updated to meet the revised requirements.

Benefits of AS9100 Rev D

When implemented and managed well, there are many benefits to AS9100 Rev D. It allows organizations to produce and improve safe and reliable products that meet and exceed customer and regulatory expectations. The processes necessary to perform day-to-day business are well defined and managed and documentation accurately reflects the work being performed.

How an Integrated Management System Can Help Your Business

May 5, 2017 By meiadmin

How an Integrated Management System Can Help Your Business

There are many benefits to an integrated management system. The greatest benefits include increased efficiency and the reduction of costs and disruptions caused by external audits. An IMS shows that an organization has an unwavering commitment to employee and customer satisfaction as well as continuous improvement.

What is an Integrated Management System?

An integrated management system (IMS) is a single system specially designed to manage multiple aspects of an organization’s operations. Integrated management can benefit any organization, regardless of their size or sector. An IMS makes it possible to integrate two or more management systems into one cohesive system with a complete set of documentation, policies, procedures and processes.

How an IMS Improves Efficiency

Many businesses run multiple systems to manage different aspects of their business such as health and safety, environment, quality and HR. An IMS enables the integration of organizational structures, decision-making, resource allocation and auditing processes into one robust system.

An IMS significantly improves the process and service quality of a company, leading to increased efficiency within the system.

Integrated systems provide a clear picture of all aspects of an organization including how they affect each other and all associated risks. This results in less duplication and easier adoption of new systems in the future.

Seamless Integration of Management Systems

Companies can choose between conversion and consolidation when integrating management systems. Conversion involves adding new processes to an existing management system and revising documents to cover all management system requirements. Consolidation involves merging two systems and integrating other systems during formalization. This method allows organizations to merge documentation when it supports the same process.

Any combination of management systems can be integrated. Means Engineering, Inc. integrates our Quality Management System (certified to ISO 9001, AS9100, and ISO 13485), our Environmental Management System (certified to ISO 14001) and our other business processes (including Health and Safety, Information Security, Business Continuity, and Ethics). With one efficient system, we are able to better meet the needs of our customers.