Sevalco Attains New ISO Certification

Columbian`s Sevalco plant in Bristol, England has become the most recent of CCC`s manufacturing facilities to become certified to ISO`s newest standard, ISO 9001:2000. As a result, Sevalco becomes the eighth Columbian plant to achieve this quality designation.

The certification means Sevalco has instituted processes that meet and exceed requirements as defined by ISO, an international standards organization. The processes enable Sevalco to establish improved methodologies for planning, implementation, monitoring and measuring. It is critical for Columbian`s manufacturing locations to obtain ISO 9001:2000 not only because a growing number of our customers requiring suppliers to have the certification, but because we must continuously improve to remain competitive and profitable.

Nigel Cheeseright, Sevalco General Manager, noted, "Given the multitude of challenges that Sevalco faces this is an excellent achievement. The whole Sevalco team has pulled together to achieve this result, but special recognition must be given to the way Jeremy Bastin and Karen Johnston led the charge. They have helped the plant put into place the foundations of an excellent quality system that we can continue build on in the years to come."

"The entire Sevalco plant should be commended for the intense work and preparation required to accomplish this transition and successful registration. The progression to ISO 9001:2000 brings a greater emphasis on continual improvement and on processes," said Richard Randolph, Global Director of Quality Assurance. "In addition, key elements of the new standard are focused on proactively understanding customer value and planning for delivery of these values. The new standard is in complete alignment with Columbian`s operational and business philosophies," he added.

Each of Columbian`s manufacturing facilities will have attained ISO 9001: 2000 certification by the end of 2003.

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