Quality Management Systems Critical for Defence
For an organisation with a 40-year track record as a trusted supplier to Australia’s defence forces, holding the latest quality management system certification is non-negotiable.
Not only is securing international quality management certifications critical to Able’s current business, but new certifications have the potential to open up whole new industries and business opportunities, according to Able Industries’ Managing Director, Stephen Martyn.
“Quality assurance matters a lot in our business, particularly with the clients we partner with and supply. We’re very pleased to be ahead of the game and to have successfully transitioned from the 2008 version of the ISO9001 Quality Management Standard to the 2015 version well ahead of the September deadline.”
Stephen Martyn said holding the ISO9001 standard was compulsory for organisations supplying the Australian defence forces and the biggest changes in the new standard focused on risk management processes.
“Under the new standard, our risk register and active management of risk plays an even bigger role in driving continuous improvement across our operations, including business continuity.”
In addition to this update standard, Able Industries has also successfully secured a new rigorous certification process to allow the company to begin to supply the aerospace industry.
“The process to secure the AS9100 quality management standard has been arduous, as you would expect when you are seeking to supply parts to the aviation industry.
“Securing this certification is a big deal for us. Implicit in this standard is the full management and traceability of all materials used in aerospace production.
“Under this standard we must be able to trace back to source every part and element that goes into materials that we could supply to, for example, an air force or airline.
While holding this certification gives our existing customers even greater assurance and confidence as to the controls and processes that underpin our operations, it also opens us up to supplying a whole new industry, which is promising for the future of our business,” he said.
“Holding this AS9100 certification is exciting for our business and our staff are rightly proud of the achievement.”
The AS9100 and ISO9001 certifications add to Able’s other certifications including ISO14001 (Environment), AS4801 (Occupational Health and Safety) and AS3834 (Welding).
