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"The IQA* made it simple for me, I knew I was going to find someone reliable"

"It could not have been easier, I told them what I wanted and within two days I had the names of three experienced people, my only difficulty was chosing between them.I would certainly recommend The CQI MCR to anyone looking for a Quality Consultant."

"I searched the web and found hundreds of consultants listed and no way of identifying the good from the bad. The IQA* came to my rescue"

ebm-papst UK ltd (Fan manufacturer and distributor)

Whilst managing to stay in business for many years without a formal quality management system ebm-papst recognised that a change in business operation would add requirements that it had not previously encountered. A planned rationalisation with another UK based company within the global ebm-papst group would add design and manufacturing to an organisation that had previously been mainly sales and distribution. As the other subsidiary had ISO 9001 certification it was considered necessary for ebm-papst UK to achieve it, not only to for continuity but also to ensure the new structure was appropriate to meet the new requirements. The resulting successful certification within 7 months also improved what we thought were already good processes and has left us with a positive approach to management systems.

Formal ISO 9001 certification had been considered on previous occasions resulting in individuals attending various quality management courses. The outcome raised concerns that a formal system would be bureaucratic and fears that our largely successful flexible systems would become unwieldy. An initial review of the other subsidiary following the announcement of the rationalisation found a heavily documented approach underlining those fears.

We decided to use the services of an ISO 9001 consultant to add some objectivity to a process that was starting on its back foot. We naturally considered the CQI (formerly IQA) as the first port of call for advice. Through the MCR they gave us three names of suitable consultants, all of whom where well qualified. We spoke to all three consultants and each one left us with an impression that a management system need not be cumbersome. We eventually selected a consultant who assisted us to put in a web based quality system, which enabled us to achieve ISO 9001 certification without problems.

None of our fears came true and we have still got flexible processes, but we now know how good we really are, we have improved our service to our clients and reduced our costs. We have since gone onto use this system as the basis of an integrated quality, environment and health and safety system.

Geoff Lockwood
Technical Director
ebm-papst UK ltd

Navig8 (Multidisciplinary design group)

As part of an expansion plan we started looking at government tenders as a potential source of new work. After a number of attempts and a consultation with the GLA following a rejection, we found that although we had quality control processes in place, they were not documented correctly. This meant that we rarely passed the first stages of the tender process. We set about trying to document our procedures we have in place, these included time sheets, job bags and employment policy. The tender documents demanded this information and seemed to based on recognised standards and more often than not, we were asked if we had ISO 9001.

A small amount of research showed that the design industry was not an industry that had embraced ISO, to say the least; we found one very large group carried the mark. It was clear that ISO had been the reserve for the likes of engineering and manufacturing firms.

Navig8 is a multi-disciplined design group, although relatively small, large scale projects are undertaken, from corporate identity to web design and build. Graphic design is a specialised sector and we needed help to get us to a situation where we could apply for ISO 9001. After searching the web, following up on articles from several publications and buying a book, we got in touch with the CQI (formerly IQA). We explained our needs and were referred to one of their senior consultants, who specialises in small business.

We contacted the consultant and he offered to come and meet us at Navig8's studio to discuss things in full. To begin with we were asked questions about how we go about our business, how it works, what happens if it goes wrong, who's responsible for what etc. We showed the consultant how a typical design brief is undertaken and delivered. He took time to evaluate the processes we had in place and suggested how we document them correctly as well as fill in the gaps. The consultant clearly grasped an understanding of the business; he returned a few weeks later with 90% of our procedures and systems formatted with suggestions of management techniques we should implement. He also pointed out one or two areas that needed attention that would benefit us and our client base. The consultant delved into every detail of Navig8's running, formalising our working practises, showing us areas we needed to improve and installing the need to provide the documentation that backs it all up, not to mention the flow charts that must haunt his dreams.

We would never have been able to get near being ready for an inspection without the consultant's help. His capability to implement an awareness of quality from the smallest company detail, a tick box on a job bag for instance, to the larger arenas of the comprehensive management systems is amazing, he missed nothing. The graphic design industry is extremely competitive, at the time of writing this, we have passed the first stage of a tender that apparently attracted 450 design agencies - we await the results of stage two. All design groups say they are creative, they will answer the brief and build long lasting relationships with their clients. Navig8 is certainly no exception, but it increasingly difficult to illustrate and prove to potential clients that we are better than the competition. The ISO 9001 mark is proof of quality and something we can qualify.

Drew Corps
Creative Director, Navig8

*At the time these comments were made the Institute of Quality Assurance (IQA) had not yet received its Charter and become the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI)