Coventry automotive parts manufacturer RDM Group has improved its quality management system and is now targeting a host of new business wins after earning an industry benchmark accreditation.
RDM Group, based on the Bilton Industrial Estate in the city, has taken just nine months to secure the global TS16949 International Quality Management Standard.
The accreditation’s benefits include being accepted throughout the automotive supply chain as an industry benchmark and is used when selecting suppliers for new models and platform launches.
David Keene, chairman of RDM Group, explained: “We are incredibly proud of this achievement. This essentially rubber-stamps our business credentials and allows us to present ourselves as a globally recognised supplier.
“Ultimately, the car makers have procurement specifications that require this certification as a pre-requisite for tenders. We are thinking big and have made significant investments to ensure we have the capability to win and deliver new business.
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Subscribers to the standard include Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, Ford and Volkswagen. RDM’s quality manager Ian Tyson oversaw the process.
He added: “The process was extremely robust and challenging, but worth the effort that everyone here has made. After our initial registration was submitted we were assessed and audited at two different stages. Following on from the accreditation there will be a programme of annual surveillance visits and a three yearly recertification audit.”
Since the TS16949 standard was introduced in 2002 it has resulted in substantial improvements in all aspects of quality, delivery and overall efficiency throughout the automotive supply chain. It has also reduced the requirement for multiple audits of manufacturers.
