ISO 9000 also reaches the extrusion machines

Family of ISO 9000 quality assurance standards is not only limited to the field of large companies. Increasingly there are more small firms seeking ISO 9001 certification on their products to ensure that they are subjected to the strictest quality controls. Manufacturers of extrusion machines could not be less, and in fact, the vast majority are subject to these rules or in granting final proceedings.

It is true that the family of standards and quality assurance procedures known as ISO 9000 was developed by experts associated with large enterprises and supplies to the Ministry of Defense, i.e. very accustomed to handle prolix forms and regulations. But we must also recognize that you do not need an army of administrative, editors and Auditors to implement a system of effective quality in a small business assurance.

The Spanish Association for standardisation and certification (Aenor) has released a little more than 200-page book, written by the American consultant James l. Lamprecht, entitled: "ISO 9000 in the small and medium enterprises". The central thesis of the book is precisely that the ISO 9000 standards are not only aimed at large enterprises but small and medium-sized enterprises can make a high profit. Moreover, notes in the book that success in the market in the short and medium term is, precisely, to manufacture all the products in accordance with the procedures specified in the ISO 9000 standards.


Figure 1

It should be clear that the ISO 9000 are not the solution to the multiple challenges posed by the market. They are, rather, a confirmation to the customer that the products it manufactures and services carried out by the certified company meet the most stringent requirements and are supported by a standardization body. The ISO 9000 are, in other words, a necessary but not sufficient for success in the market condition.

Flexibility, primary

Lamprecht, one of the main features of small and medium-sized enterprises over the last 120 years is their reluctance to use standard procedures. This is due to the flexibility, which is its competitive advantage over the large company is paramount for the SMEs. Why then, asks the author, must the SMEs have the certificate ISO 9000? The answer that gives is indirect: "most companies raised the certification do not own desire but because its customers have begun to require them routinely obtain the registration of company ISO 9000".


Figure 2

De_acuerdo_con this explanation, a company decides to start the process of ISO 9000 certification for one of these three reasons: 1) advantage competitive (a competitor just got the certification); ((2) is required (for the so-called regulated products) or feels that they will require, above all in the European Union, and 3) a customer demand certification. The waterfall effect is triggered when a competitor obtains the certificate: and, inevitably, proclaimed in all their offers with pride and persistently, becomes the most important purchase decision factor and the rest of competitors do not have forced to be certified.


Figure 3

Thus explained, it may seem that the order to be competitive in a specific sector, such as the extrusion machines is to have ISO 9000 certification. In fact, as you said, it is necessary but not sufficient.

Implement an adaptive system

What it is to put in place an effective quality assurance system in a small company. In other words, that you are certified without losing speed or flexibility. The book that we are citing, argues that this is possible, if not imitate lightly procedures designed for large enterprises, because that then small businesses will be crushed by the roller of the bureaucracy.


Figure 4

As in the set of rules not specified specifically how to implement the requirements and what are the procedures to prepare, precisely so that they suit both small and large companies, the procedure may look like a dead end.

The book edited by Aenor recommends above all that the system of quality assurance is not very elaborate. And it ends with three suggestions. The first is documenting everything that that constitutes a requirement but limit it to only include what is required for the global improvement of the quality, efficiency and productivity. The second is to avoid documenting those issues which should belong to the field of training. And the third is verify and assess the validity of the implanted system on an ongoing basis and have no doubts when it comes to simplify or improve the system in any other way and as often as possible.