KMF (Precision Sheet Metal)'s Advanced Solutions business unit has been presented with its AS9100 certificate by BSI managing director David McLean, at a ceremony held at the company's Newcastle under Lyme facility.
The Advanced Solutions business is aiming to win aerospace, medical and defence industry work for precision sheet metal components and assemblies, expanding KMF (Precision Sheet Metal)'s existing sheet metal activities.
KMF Advanced Solutions has worked with industry bodies to develop a procedures manual that is highly effective and has seen the business unit gain accreditation to AS9100 in a relatively short space of time.
"In order to support our submission for AS9100, we went back to basics and completely re-evaluated our operation procedures manual," says UK quality manager, Gary Sutton. "The key change was to create a much more visual manual that had the effect of simplifying the existing processes that we had in place at KMF. In addition, we enhanced the manual with several new procedures that were a requirement of AS9100."
On gaining the award, KMF's managing director, Gareth Higgins, adds: "The entire team at KMF and, in particular, those with the Advanced Solutions facility should be proud of the hard work and effort that has gone into ensuring our success in gaining this quality standard. The development of Advanced Solutions is a major investment for the business, but it is one that is reaping the rewards by developing new customers from outside of our traditional industry sectors. To give these new customers the confidence that we can deliver on our promises, accreditations such as AS9100 are vitally important."
Adding this quality standard to its growing list of accreditations that include Silver SC21; ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHS 18001 will help the business to develop new customer relationships in key industry sectors, allowing the continued growth of the company, building on its existing markets in the electrical distribution, telecoms, and vending industries.