Columbian Chemicals Korea (CCK) Becomes 12th CCC Location to Achieve New ISO Certification

On Tuesday, September 23, 2003, Columbian Chemicals Korea (CCK) in Yosu, South Korea became the most recent CCC location to become certified to ISO`s newest standard, ISO 9001:2000. As a result, CCK becomes the twelfth Columbian location to achieve this quality designation. During the audit, the ISO auditor found no major (Category 1) nonconformities and only four minor (Category 2) nonconformities.

The certification means CCK has instituted processes that meet and exceed requirements as defined by ISO, an international standards organization. These processes enable CCK to establish improved methodologies for planning, implementation, monitoring and measuring. In the business environment today, it is critical for Columbian to obtain this certification not only because a growing number of our customers require it of their suppliers, but also because we must continuously improve to remain competitive and profitable.

Larry Strunk, President of CCK, says, "Certifying our quality management systems to ISO 9001:2000 is the result of a very intense and collaborative effort made by all process work groups at CCK. The new system will help us to strengthen our customer focus as we utilize customer surveys and feedback and planning tools to enhance the value we deliver to customers." Strunk continues, "The new quality management system will also help to ensure that we maintain all of our work processes at world-class operational excellence standards to enable us to become an organization that is truly "value-driven."

K.B. Jeong, General Manager of the Yosu plant, adds, "I fully agree with Mr. Strunk. Through the strong teamwork and dedication of all CCK employees, we have become certified to ISO-9001:2000 standards. Adhering to these standards will help us provide better service to our customers and enable us to become more competitive."

###