The opportunities presented by global trading means that there is a constant demand for businesses to fulfil larger contracts. However, many Construction companies are missing out, not because they are small, but because they don’t have the vital ingredient that their potential customers are insisting on – ISO 9001:2000 accreditation.
This accreditation provides a framework for continual improvement of products, services and customer satisfaction, and ensures that the customer’s quality requirements are met. When the standard was first accredited it was heavily biased towards business processes and procedures. However, since ISO was updated in 2000, the emphasis has moved towards people, in line with Investors in People accreditation, and there are now significant overlaps between the ISO and IiP standards.
ISO certification is carried out through independent UKAS accredited third parties, such as The Assessment Network, who is the Investors in People Centre for the East of England. Through an UKAS accredited sister company, they provide interested companies with awareness workshops to help them decide whether this is the best option for them. The next stage, for interested clients, is a fast track consultancy workshop programme consisting of 4 half days over a 4-month period. Spaces will be limited to a maximum of 8 companies to increase the opportunity for interactivity. Following the final workshop, an accredited consultant will visit clients at their premises to review their procedures and help support implementation. Attendees will learn how to determine key processes and procedures, establish how they will work, identify who owns them and ensure that they are agreed throughout the organisation.
Managing director, Elaine Johnson said: “Although ISO accreditation undoubtedly opens the door to extra business opportunities, many SME’s are still missing out because they are uncertain how to proceed and we have designed this fast track workshop programme to help demystify the process.”
Accreditation to ISO 9001:2000 not only demonstrates that the supplier’s Quality Management Systems meets the internationally recognised Standards as required by many government, military, industrial, and commercial sectors, it is also the company’s public declaration that they provide a consistent level of quality throughout all areas of its operations.
Organisations with ISO accreditation have identified significant improvements on their profitability through reduced errors, wastage and improved customer satisfaction and loyalty. Annual surveillance audits and inspection ensure that standards and procedures are robust and compliant with those set down for the ISO 9001:2000 awards in Construction.
Helmsman Safety Services is a training services company with a speciality in Health & Safety. CEO Tony Willson explained why they decided to work towards ISO 9001:2000 accreditation. “Over the years we have considered becoming an ISO accredited company, but have never really done anything about it, primarily because we already have an excellent internal quality system in place. However since we have started to tender for larger local authority contracts we have found that ISO accredited companies have a definite advantage, and this quality mark moves them up the ratings.”
“It is not an easy process but the most important thing is to make sure that you get a good consultant who is willing to hand-hold through the first part and continue to work with you to accreditation. For us the benefits are already evident, not least that the framework to which we now work has allowed us to standardise all our documentation. This saves time and allows us to work to a consistently high standard.”
Johnson added. “We would particularly encourage businesses who have already achieved IiP to consider working towards the ISO standard. Although companies do not need to have an existing IiP accreditation to undertake ISO 9001:2000, those that do can elect to receive an integrated annual ISO and IiP assessment, which will reduce both time and resource.”
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For more information about The Assessment Network; Investors in People and ISO 9001:2000 Standards, please Tel 01480 479222
For media information contact Val Jefferys, Ultimedia Public Relations
Tel: 01767 601470 E-mail: val@ultimediapr.co.uk
