Case Studies

Who:
Holbrook Tool & Molding: A one-size quality manual does not fit all

What:
A quality management system was developed to enable the client to quickly respond to customers, solve problems faster and support their initiative to eliminate quality-based problems.

Problem:
In their quest for QS-9000 certification, a previous consulting company handed them an off-the-shelf, 100-page quality manual and 20 procedures – which the client could not possibly maintain.

Solution:
A  policy and procedure quality manual was developed with less than five work instructions. Appropriate training and guidance training were provided to different levels of the organization.

Result:
Fourteen years later, the Quality Manager was able to successfully maintain and improve the quality management system. Ownership and commitment were enabled throughout the organization as the system is now easier to understand. Holbrook Tool & Molding can maintain their ISO 9001 certification with no findings and no customer requested corrective actions for repetitive years. 

Who:
Bra-Vor: One good turn deserves another

What:
A quality management system was developed to enable the client to quickly respond to customers, solve problems faster and support their initiative to eliminate quality-based problems.

Problem:
Based on a referral from Holbrook Tool & Molding, Bra-Vor also enlisted IQPS to pursue QS-9000 certification and then ISO-9000 certification.

Solution:
A policy and procedure quality manual was developed with less than five work instructions. Appropriate training was provided to different levels of the organization. Guidance was also provided on effective management reviews. Internal audits were conducted and continue today.

Result:
Fifteen years later, the Quality Manager was able to successfully maintain and improve the quality management system. Bra-Vor can maintain its ISO 9001 certification with no findings and no customer requested corrective actions for repetitive years. 

Who:
Baxter Machine Product: There are two kinds of people – complexifiers and simplifiers

What:
A quality management system was developed to enable the client to quickly respond to customers, solve problems faster and support their initiative to eliminate quality-based problems.

Problem:
A former employee developed a 100-page quality manual and 20 procedures – which was impossible to maintain.

Solution:
A policy and procedure quality manual was developed with less than five work instructions. Appropriate training and guidance were provided to different levels of the organization.  Subsequently, an environmental management system (ISO 14001) was integrated into the quality management system (ISO 9001) and morphed into a business management system. 

Result:
Ownership and commitment were enabled throughout the organization as it is now easier to understand. Baxter Machine Product can maintain both ISO certifications with no findings and no customer requested corrective actions or incidents for many years.

Who:
Blair Strip Steel: If you can’t beat us, join us

What:
Blair Strip had an established quality system and needed someone to perform its internal audits. After an accredited surveillance audit, Blair Strip Stell hired IQPS to perform internal audits based on QS-9000.

Problem:
Blair Strip had one person in their quality department performing many tasks, which made it hard to maintain independence and expertise.

Solution:
The Quality System was upgraded to TS-16949 and integrated with ISO 14001, and internal audits continued to be conducted.

Result:
Eighteen years later, the Quality Manager can still maintain and improve the quality management system. Blair Strip can maintain its TS-16949 certification with minimal to no findings, and no customers requested corrective actions.

Who:
Belleflex: Join us too!

What:
A new startup company owned by Blair Strip needed to implement a quality management system and obtain ISO-9001 certification as soon as possible.

Problem:
The Bellflex Quality Manager needed guidance in machine shop implementation.

Solution:
IQPS provided guidance through discussions regarding best practices, reviews of the system documentation, and appropriate training for all levels of Bellflex.

Result:
After six months of startup, Belleflex successfully obtained an ISO-9001 certification. Their quality system and performance were recognized by NASA as an approved supplier to produce parts for the International Space Station.