We are thrilled to announce that Lou-Rich has successfully completed the rigorous audit process for ISO 9001:2015 recertification. This achievement marks another milestone in our commitment to delivering exceptional quality and continuous improvement in our operations. What sets this recertification apart is the collaboration with a different organization, TUV/SUD, which adds a new dimension to our journey towards excellence.
Maintaining Excellence Since 1998
Lou-Rich’s ISO 9001:2015 certification journey began in 1998, and we have proudly upheld this prestigious certification ever since. Our dedication to quality has allowed us to establish a robust Quality Management System (QMS) that aligns with our company’s Quality Policy and objectives. This QMS not only ensures the highest product quality but also places a strong emphasis on continual improvement.
Q&A with Lou-Rich’s Quality Manager
To gain insights into this achievement, we sat down with Kevin Weber, Lou-Rich’s Quality Manager. Here are some questions we asked to shed light on our journey and the process:
Question 1: What motivated Lou-Rich to choose TUV/SUD for this ISO audit, and how did their approach differ from previous auditors?
Answer:
Auditors contract with various registrars such as DQS and TUV/SUD. We have a long-standing relationship with our current auditor and DQS. Over the last year, our auditor discontinued working for DQS, so to retain our working relationship a change of registrar was needed. I also had positive experiences working with TUV/SUD in the past.
Question 2: How does Lou-Rich’s Quality Management System (QMS) contribute to our commitment to continuous improvement and meeting customer expectations?
Answer:
Lou-Rich’s QMS framework provides the tools to perform our tasks in a consistent manner. If opportunities arise, there is also a process to analyze and implement improvements.
As our customer expectations change, the QMS makes it easier for Lou-Rich to adapt to those changes and avoid pitfalls.
Question 3: In what ways do Lou-Rich’s employee-owners contribute to the effectiveness of our ISO Quality Management System?
Answer:
The ISO Quality Management System does not do any of the work, it just defines the tools. Therefore, the Lou-Rich employee-owners are the ones who make all the difference. They are the experts of the processes they deal with day-in/day-out. We need their input to identify issues, form and implement the improvements.
Question 4: ISO certification has become a benchmark for many of our customers. How does this recertification reinforce our commitment to quality and help us stand out in the industry?
Answer:
Customers understand what it takes to become and maintain ISO certification. Recertification shows Lou-Rich is committed to continual improvement. Many customers will pass over suppliers who do not have ISO certification. ISO certification many times can get your foot in the door, then it is up to the team to illustrate how Lou-Rich utilizes our processes to fulfill customer expectations.
Conclusion
Our recent achievement in obtaining the ISO 9001:2015 recertification with TUV/SUD highlights Lou-Rich’s unwavering commitment to providing quality products and services to our customers. This achievement would not have been possible without the collective dedication and hard work of our team.
Our team remains committed to upholding the highest quality standards to both our existing and future customers.
