Despite the flat international economy, manufacturers are still committing capital to become ISO 9001 registered. Interest in ISO 9001 showed a 15% increase in planned expenditures from last quarter and an increase of 35% over last year among manufacturers.

It is appropriate to discuss why so many companies are jumping into this program. One of the main selling points of the ISO 9001 registration program is that it is process driven. Generally, when something is process driven, it is universally applicable. Fortunately, ISO 9001 is universally applicable in many types of industries from manufacturing to construction to the varioustypes of service industries.

The success of ISO 9001 is that it acts as a catalyst for continuous improvement. When designing anything, a foundation must be built. This foundation needs to include documenting your current processes, determining how your processes should work and then installing the proper amount of checkpoints to ensure reliable and consistent processes. It is important to remember that themost important areas, but also the greatest barriers to becoming ISO 9001 registered, are creating, documenting and following the agreed-upon procedures.Surprisingly, efficiency is not one of the main reasons cited for obtaining ISO 9001 registration. Even though, if implemented correctly, the chances of becoming more efficient are extremely high. The main reasons why companies get involved with ISO9001 are: the customer demands it, business processes are improved, a better quality product is created and it aids in marketing and selling products. Many large companies, U.S. and overseas based, demand ISO 9001 registration by their suppliers as the companies understand that being ISO 9001 registered means that the supplier is more likely to have a higher quality product thana supplier without the registration.

In keeping with that focus, the companies that implement ISO 9001 believe that they will benefit from the registration process, as the level of quality of their products will improve. Imagine a workforce dedicated to creating the best possible product andcontinually improving the process with the tools learned via an ISO implementation project.

Marketing that your company is 'ISO 9001 registered' is a tremendous selling point. Effectively, you are stating, 'we make aquality product via documented procedures to provide you with the best possible value for your purchase dollars". What a way to build confidence in your product and increase market share!

There are both internal and external benefits to be derived from implementing ISO. The largest internal benefit is that management is able to know exactly how their processes should function via proper documentation- while the employees, usingthe documentation as a guide, are more cognizant of the quality standards in place. Companies generally have seen improved efficiency, reduced costs and rework and improved market share after implementing ISO 9001. On the external side, higher quality and improved customer satisfaction lead the benefits to be derived.

QMS began US operations in 1996. Steady growth has made QMS one the largest registrars in the world with principal offices in North America, the Caribbean, UK, Europe, Asia and South America and representative offices worldwide. Our commitment to excellence and friendly personal service as well as our innovative practical approach without compromising quality or excellenceprovides our clients with that important competitive edge.