Be Better: Quality Management Systems like AS9120 Improve Businesses (Demo)

In the cutthroat world of aerospace product distributing, you would want to get every advantage you can find—and one of the best ways to distinguish yourself from the pack is having a product or service that is better than the competition. So how can you assure clients of this? For one, you might want to secure an AS9120 Quality Management System, a certification standard specifically meant for aerospace product distributors. First off, what exactly is a quality management system? Most companies have a certain standard that they meet for their products; for example, companies that procure mechanical parts for airplanes have to ensure that their items are tough and resilient enough to handle the rigors of flight. Implementing a quality management system makes it easier to assure this level of quality. To better understand how they can do so, Julie Davoren’s article for Chron.com about quality management systems explains their function:

To incorporate a quality management system, think of operations as processes that you must improve. Quality is not a one-off result, so, to achieve it, you must focus on continuous improvement in all processes. The steps you take to improve quality must be evidence-based. You also must hold suppliers to high standards when it comes to satisfying requirements. Most importantly, focus on your customers — their requirements, perceptions, and needs.

However, just saying you have implemented a quality management system isn’t enough. It still needs to be confirmed by an independent agency. An example of this would be a thorough AS9120 certification process from an accredited body like the International Standards Authority, Inc. (ISA). This usually involves observation and auditing by the certifier’s representatives over a period of months before you are fully certified. It may seem to be too much trouble, but a fully certified quality management system brings several benefits to a business. First, there is the improved efficiency. Guidelines will be in place for many company needs like troubleshooting, training, and production. These will ensure that everyone knows what needs to be done in any situation. Second, it improves employee morale. Quality management systems define the roles of management and employees, ensuring accountability. This helps motivate your staff to do better. Finally, recognition from buyers. Assuring customers that your products meet a certain level of quality can increase their confidence in your company. Needless to say, certification can also attract more customers. (Source: The Purpose of a Quality Management System, Small Business Chron)