Recognized for World-Class Quality:
Columbia Gear Awarded ISO/TS-16949:2002 Certification
AVON, Minn… As one of the first U.S. custom gearing suppliers to
achieve ISO 9002 certification in 1994, Columbia Gear continues its role
of industry leadership with a new achievement — the announcement
it has been awarded ISO/TS-16949:2002 Certification, achieved through
audited performance in meeting the new international automotive quality
standards.
As part of its ongoing commitment to total quality management, Columbia
Gear's TS certification positions the company as one of few custom gearing
suppliers to have achieved this premiere level of integrated production
and process quality.
The company's decision to seek what many regard as the world's most
stringent quality certification, and for which so few gear suppliers
are certified,
is in keeping with Columbia Gear's long-standing strategic philosophy. "Columbia
Gear has always emphasized the importance of being customer-driven," said
Ray Davidson, Vice President of Quality. "So for us, this was the
next logical step in responding to our automotive customers' needs, as
well as continuing to demonstrate a real commitment to reliable quality,
from design through assembly, for all of our customers," said Davidson. "Adding
TS-16949 to our existing certifications, and being among the earliest
group of gearing suppliers to achieve it, continues our tradition of
cutting-edge
performance and gives our customers the assurance they're working with
a proven,
world-class supplier."
Created to meet the quality requirements of automotive manufacturers
worldwide, ISO/TS-16949 is the result of cooperation among members
of the International
Automotive Task Force (IATF). Members from 12 nations, including
GM, Ford and Daimler Chrysler, participated in the development
of this
single registration
scheme to standardize requirements for the American, European and
Asian automotive industries. The new standard is based on ISO
9001:2000,
AVSQ (Italian), EAQF (French), QS-9000 (U.S.) and VDA6.1 (German)
automotive requirements.
Columbia Gear provides some of the world's largest OEMs with integrated
solutions in custom gearing, from design to manufacturing of custom
spur and helical gears, gearbox assemblies and related products.
Its state-of-the-art,
170,000 square foot plant is located just 70 miles Northwest of
Minneapolis, adjacent to Interstate 94.
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For additional information:
www.ColumbiaGear.com
www.iaob.org
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