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ISO 9002
Having started implementation of the ISO 9002 quality management
system in April 1999, both Chonburi Steel Mill Services (CSMS) and
Siam Steel Mill Services (SSMS) achieved certification on
December 23, 1999, a mere nine months later.
The path towards accreditation can be broken down into five key
stages, commencing with the appointment of a quality management
representative and setting up of the steering committee and working
parties. These teams worked together to study the detailed ISO
model, before reviewing and analyzing the existing quality control
systems. Having performed this 'gap analysis', improvements
were introduced to raise the existing standards in the company to
those demanded by the ISO.
The second stage consisted of publishing the revised quality
system. Employees were presented with draft copies of the manual and
encouraged to contribute their opinions, comments and concerns to
the steering committee. This served the dual purpose of
achieving maximum feedback, while preparing the whole workforce for
the forthcoming program. Already working closely together as a
team, staff began to notice an increased desire to participate and a
greater acceptance of the project.
Next, the final document was introduced to all eight of the
companies' locations. It was then time to implement monitoring,
measurement, recording and improvement measures, the practical steps
towards certification.
The fourth stage concerned audits, first internal and, later,
external. The first internal audit took place in November
1999, and, as expected, it highlighted a number of areas where
further work was needed. The entire team, primarily the
management, QMR and steering committee, immediately set about
readdressing the shortcomings in preparation for a second audit in
late November. A greatly improved result was recorded.
CSMS and SSMS were now ready to invite the external auditors to
carry out the official review. This lasted four days, after which
accreditation was achieved by each of the companies' sites on
December 23, 1999.
The final stage of the process pertains to the future.
Having experienced and recognized the real value of a concentrated
and united team effort, both CSMS and SSMS are committed to
maintaining the staff ethic of intercompany communication and
sharing and respecting the ideas of the entire workforce.
Emphasis is also placed on continuous self-improvement to support
and maintain the management system in the future.
Howard Patterson, Vice President,
International Operations, Edw C. Levy Group |
