Vol.2 No.8 Subject: Flow Measurement News Date: 9-6-00 From: McCrometer, "The Flow Measurement Specialists" ........ <http://www.mccrometer.com> ........ ******************************************* This newsletter is e-mailed by McCrometer monthly to subscribers worldwide. It consists of flow measurement information of interest for professionals in this field. For More information on our complete line of flowmeters go to: <http://www.mccrometer.com> ******************************************* Ask The Experts... ISO 9000: What it means for the supplier and the customer McCrometer has just successfully completed an ISO 9000 audit for its V-Cone flowmeter line. But what does this really mean for the company and for its customers? While you don't hear much about ISO 9000 these days, it remains a vital standard for quality control in manufacturing companies, with tens of thousands of companies going through the process of recertification every year and many still obtaining certification for the first time. As anyone who has been through ISO 9000 registration knows, it is an intense process. A company must comply with either the 20 elements of the ISO 9001 standard or the 19 elements of ISO 9002. This includes procedures such as controlling product design, establishing a mechanism for purchasing materials, identifying and tracking product, and controlling processes to manufacture, inspect and test product. Once all the elements are in place, the company is audited by a qualified registrar and, if everything is in order, is certified to ISO 9001 or ISO 9002. For registration to continue, a surveillance audit is conducted at least once a year - the process which McCrometer has just been through. With the amount of time, money and effort involved, why would a flowmeter manufacturer aim for ISO 9000 certification. Eric Mikkelson, McCrometer's Quality Assurance Manager believes the implementation of an ISO 9000 type quality system is just good business. "The elements the standard contains are really tools for improving or maintaining high product and service quality," he says. "Also, in the markets where the V-Cone is sold, especially the oil and gas and the chemical markets, not having an ISO 9000 certified quality system is perceived as a deficiency and, therefore, a market barrier. The more practical benefit is that by having our quality system certified, the growth we had been experiencing in introducing the V-Cone to the oil and gas and chemical markets can continue." The benefit for the customer who chooses to do business with an ISO 9000 certified company is peace of mind. "The ISO 9000 standard sets a base level of quality, key elements that any customer could reasonably expect of their supplier, " says Eric. "If the supplier is not registered, it is up to the customer to satisfy themselves that the supplier can meet their base expectations, which is a time consuming and costly endeavor." ******************************************* Copyright 2000 McCrometer ******************************************* Know anyone looking for a steady dose of flow measurement information? ****************************************** To subscribe send e-mail to <mailto:news-request@mccrometer.com>news-request@mccrometer.com with a keyword SUBSCRIBE in the subject field. To unsubscribe, send e-mail to <mailto:news-request@mccrometer.com>news-request@mccrometer.com with a keyword REMOVE in the subject field. ******************************************* To subscribe or unsubscribe online, please go to our website at: http://www.mccrometer.com/subscribe.htm ******************************************* Distributed by McCrometer "The Flow Measurement Specialists" http://www.mccrometer.com