The Attivo Blog

The economic downturn is causing many large manufacturers, particularly in the aerospace industry; to look for ways to streamline their approved suppliers list (ASL). In addition to looking for cost reductions from their vendors, companies are looking for ways to reduce their own overhead costs associated with doing supplier audits and site surveys and vendor qualifications. One of the expected benefits for companies to get certified should rightly be that their customers and/or prospects can spend less time auditing or qualifying them as a supplier when already ISO 9001 certified. Several larger aerospace customers are not only making their tier 1 suppliers be certified to the ISO standards, but in fact requiring or at least preferring companies that meet the more comprehensive AS 9100 requirements (ISO 9001 with aerospace-specific requirements added). So unfortunately, for some smaller companies supplying their aerospace customers; they are facing the expense to implement an ISO 9001-based quality management system at the very same time that severe revenue reductions, cut-backs in personnel and capital acquisitions are the norm. It may be counter-intuitive to these times, but survival for some may just come by making the investment in corporate infrastructure, which includes a corporate culture for reviewing and streamling processes to be "customer-optimized" best practices. When you've made that commitment in expense and effort, then by all means...you should reap the rewards which may include keeping your customer's auditors "out of your hair." An ISO certification can provide this additional benefit. By: Claude Cormane - "ISOMan"