A few weeks back we achieved TS16949 Certification from the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG). This certification is a standard recognized the world over. Here’s how AIAG defines it:
The goal of this technical specification is to develop a quality management system that provides for continual improvement, emphasizing defect prevention and reduction of variation and waste with in the supply chain.
Earning the certification meant going through a rigorous 4 day audit. If you’d walked into UP&R in the days and weeks leading up to the audit, you’d have been treated to an atmosphere akin to lawyers preparing for an important case. That preparation didn’t find us inventing new processes, but rather getting all of our notes in order. At any moment, we had to be ready for an auditor to ask us to produce our training matrix, or point to a worker and ask about their training record.
Though this is an automotive rubber products certification, the standards required benefit all of UP&R’s customers. In order to become TS19649 certified, we had to prove that we have a thorough predictive and preventative maintenance program in place in order to ensure minimal downtime. And as we mentioned, we had to provide detailed documentation of our training program. A comprehensive training program guarantees that all of our employees are working in an optimal manner.
Taken together, the TS16949 Certification is evidence of our commitment to being an efficient business, and providing the very best for our customers. We’re proud to have achieved this certification, and we’re excited to carry out the last stipulation: working towards continual improvement, so that we are always providing the best service possible.