7 mins read
One of the first in North America in 2017 to upgrade automotive-specific IATF certification registrations
At a glance
Automation Tool & Die started as a custom tooling manufacturer, then expanded into metal stamping in direct response to market demands. To meet the requirements of its growing customer base, the company knew that it needed a registered Quality Management System (QMS). In 2001, the company sought QS 9000:1998/ ISO 9002:1994 certification and, a year later, it was successfully registered to the standard.
As the company continued to grow, so did its quest for best-in-class status. Consequently, it set out to pursue the new ISO/ TS 16949 standard to set itself apart in the tool and die industry. It became one of the first companies registered in northeast Ohio and the surrounding communities, successfully registering in 2004.
When Automation Tool & Die sought to consolidate its four facilities into one in 2016, the company faced the prospect of a re-registration audit at the integrated facility then transitioning to the new replacement standard. Instead, the company opted to transition to the new IATF 16949 standard — which supplements ISO 9001:2015 and is designed to achieve global consistency in quality system requirements in the automotive supply chain — to elevate them as an elite company in both the U.S. and Canada.
To facilitate the process, Automation Tool & Die teamed with SAI Global. In just five months, the company finalized the effort by moving into the new consolidated facility and completing the transition audit and certification. It was registered to the standard in July 2017, setting the stage for its future growth and success with a new QMS that
provides for continual improvement through minimization of defects, variation, and waste.
Automation was faced with timing constraints, as we were finishing the building of our new state-of-the-art facility — a facility that put all of our processes under one roof, unlike the four buildings we previously worked out of.– Dan Carter, Quality Assurance Manager
Background
Automation Tool & Die has been producing high-quality custom tooling solutions since 1974. As its customers began to seek expert involvement at every level of the manufacturing process, the company evolved by entering the metal stamping industry in 1989. Since that time, Automation Tool & Die has introduced a range of value-added services, from plating and tapping to assembly and distribution. Today, the company operates with 75 full-time employees out of a 105,000-square-foot building on 22 acres, where it continues to expand its capabilities.
Challenge
Automation Tool & Die entered the metal stamping industry in 1989 as a direct response to customer demand. But with its expansion came the need for a registered Quality Management System (QMS).
To the company, having a registered QMS meant the ability to better meet customer requirements and increase demand by continually improving processes and products while enhancing operational efficiency.
After achieving QS900:1998/ISO 9002:1994 certification, the company strategically grew, adding a distribution center, manufacturing resource planning system, and other value-added processes. For Automation Tool & Die, a top-rated registered QMS was suddenly more important than ever, so the company aggressively pursued the new ISO/TS 16949 standard, achieving registration in 2004. Having an elevated ability to market to current and potential accounts was an accomplishment well received by customers. At that point, the business felt poised to continue its growth trajectory.
A decade later, the company set out to build a new state-of-the art world headquarters that would house all four of its existing facilities and processes under one roof. But shortly after moving into the new site in 2016, Automation Tool & Die faced the prospect of a re-registration audit because of the relocation of its processes. Despite having just completed a three-year audit cycle of its registered QMS, the company opted to forgo an upgrade audit to the existing ISO/TS 16949 standard and instead aggressively pursue the global replacement IATF 16949 standard, which also requires compliance with ISO 9001:2015. But the company needed guidance to facilitate the process as quickly as possible.
To that end, the company faced some difficult choices: keep the schedule of conducting surveillance audits every six months and do the upgrade audit to the existing ISO/TS 16949 standard or bite the bullet and switch to yearly audits and choose to aggressively seek out implementation of the new IATF standard.
Although our processes did not change, the moving of the equipment and process flow was quite an undertaking.– Dan Carter, Quality Assurance Manager
Solution
Automation Tool & Die pulled together a qualified team, with SAI Global performing the upgrade audit. While the company had been certified to a QMS for over 15 years, the IATF 16949 standard included enhancements and new requirements. Working with a dedicated team, the company first held a series of meetings to understand what had changed and what was needed to refine its processes and procedures to align with the new standard.
The company then developed and executed an action plan that included:
- Development of a Quality Planning Checklist to ensure it updated its processes to the requirements under IATF 16949:2016
- The creation of a timeline to track projects
- All-employee training on the intent of the standard’s requirements, the benefits of having an automotive quality management system, consequences/implications of not conforming to the Quality Management System, plus top management staff training on the updated requirements and how the company will meet them
- Review, finalization, and release of the update documents
- An internal audit of the updated IATF system
- Performance of a third-party upgrade audit by SAI Global
With this process, the company achieved its goal in just five months and was registered to the IATF 16949:2016 standard, the result of its best-in-class business practices and a top-of-the-line registered QMS.
We chose to set ourselves apart in the industry, as we always have, as we continue our quest for best-in-class status. SAI Global was most valuable with the timing of pulling together an upgrade audit and qualified auditor to perform the audit.Dan Carter, Quality Assurance Manager
Results
Following its registration to the IATF 16949 standard in July 2017, Automation Tool & Die has set itself apart and witnessed unprecedented opportunities for the future. Automation Tool & Die has:
- Improved documentation and quality awareness with monthly measurements for each key process, as well as the performance of risk assessment activities completed by cross-functional teams
- Strengthened customer relationships, particularly with new customers who seek the added comfort IATF 16949 provides
- Realized cost savings and boosted profitability, showing a four-percent gross profit increase from the previous year and an approximately seven percent sales increase
- Improved its understanding of all operations from a customer point of view, including each area’s strengths and weaknesses, thanks to its Failure and Effects Analysis Process
- Established a foundation for discipline for identifying continual improvement activities, resulting in expansion of value added services, full tool room support, and shipping efficiencies that have reduced costs and improved part quality, among others
- Most importantly, with the implementation of lean practices, the company has elevated customer confidence and peace of mind that the company will meet its requirements and continue to deliver quality products and services that will ensure customer satisfaction.
For a company that is registered to a QMS, it makes complete sense to continually improve business practices that result in improved profitability and to strive to be best in class, world class in their industry. – Dan Carter, Quality Assurance Manager
Latest Case Studies
Medistar Achieve Certification After Completing Their Stage 2 Audit Remotely
Medistar achieve ISO 9001 certification after completing their stage 2 audit remotely to accommodate the recent national travel bans
2 mins read
AHG RL Successfully Completes Audit Cycle Remotely With SAI Global
AHG RL Successfully Completes Audit Cycle Remotely with SAI Global
3 mins read
Hillcroft Industries Achieves 500% Productivity And Boosted Customer Satisfaction
When the management team at Hillcroft Industries set out to upgrade its quality management processes, it embraced the opportunity to bring much-needed improvements to its organizational structure and work practices.
6 mins read
ISO 9001-Certified Quality Management System Pushes REDARC to Market-Leader Position
REDARC’s ISO 9001-certified Quality Management System sets the stage for rapid growth and global expansion and positions the company to be become a market leader.
4 mins read