Columbian Carbon Deutschland (CCD) Achieves New ISO Certification

On August 29, 2003, Columbian Carbon Deutschland (CCD), Columbian`s manufacturing plant in Hannover, Germany became the most recent of CCC`s manufacturing facilities to become certified to ISO`s newest standard, ISO 9001:2000. As a result, Hannover becomes the tenth Columbian plant to achieve this quality designation.

The certification means Hannover has instituted processes that meet and exceed requirements as defined by ISO, an international standards organization. The processes enable Hannover 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 are requiring suppliers to have the certification, but because we must continuously improvement to remain competitive and profitable.

CCD achieved this milestone in an impressive manner. According to Stefan Gierse, CCD`s Quality Assurance Manager, "CCD passed the ISO 9001:2000 certification audit without any nonconformities. We would like to thank the audit team for all their efforts to achieve the certification as a milestone of our plant goals."

"The entire Hannover plant should be commended for the intense work and preparation required to accomplish this transition and successful registration, particularly without any nonconformities,"adds Richard Randolph, Global Director of Quality Assurance. "The progression to ISO 9001:2000 brings a greater emphasis on continual improvement and on processes. 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 continued.

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

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