Within the Glasgow area many of the smaller companies use grant support to assist them in their aims to achieve these standards. The grants have been available in various forms for many years now.
Two very different companies that have received financial assistance in achieving ISO 9001 recently through using these grants QMI Scotland's consultancy services are Mabbett and Associates Ltd, (www.mabbett.com ) and Clyde Space Ltd (www.clyde-space.com ).
Mabbett and Associates Ltd (M&A) are a multi-disciplinary environmental, health and health and engineering consultancy and advise companies on resource efficiency and waste minimisation solutions to assist reduce their impact on the environment and save money. M&A first approached QMI Scotland Limited to assist the company to develop and gain ISO 9001. In addition, QMI provided staff training to M&A to assist the company understand, maintain and revise the system. M&A were assessed by a third party auditor in September 2007 and achieved ISO 9001 accreditation. Glasgow City Council's Business Support Programme provided grant support to assist M&A implement this project. M&A have witnessed benefits from the accreditation to include:
§ Reducing the amount of staff time in filling out PQQ/Tenders;
§ Retention of existing clients and new client wins particularly in the public sector; and
§ Business efficiency benefits to include: streamlining of documentation and assistance in company development.
Clyde Space Ltd, have moved much more, quickly, however they have had to overcome similar problems, moving to bigger premises during the project. Clyde Space are almost certainly unique in Glasgow, being a leading supplier of small and micro spacecraft systems. Their activities include the design and production of high performance power subsystems, lithium polymer batteries and high efficiency solar panels for the small satellite industry.
Their ISO 9001 project, funded through Glasgow City Council's Business Support Programme started in January 2009 and their successful assessment took place on 18th of June 2009. As can be appreciated they have not yet had time to see the benefits of their system, but are hoping that it helps secure contracts from more and more clients internationally as well as at home.
Let's hope that they also witness increased benefits and efficiency of business operation from achievement of ISO 9001 like those witnessed by M&A and that many more companies take up the opportunity to set up management systems and reap the benefits available.
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