HOLYOKE, MA, Sept. 26, 2005 -- Stevens Geomembranes announced the continued ISO 9001:2000 certification of its Westfield, N.C., manufacturing facility. This ongoing certification, as a result of an audit by AQA International last month, recognizes the Stevens "Carolina Plant" as having successfully met the model criteria for quality assurance in the design, development and production of its geomembranes. The company is believed to be the only U.S. based geomembrane manufacturer with the ISO 9001:2000 certification rating.
American Quality Assessors (AQA) evaluates twenty processes critical to the Quality Management System Standard. The marks received during this latest audit were high; not one deficiency was noted. At least nineteen areas of strength were highlighted and several complimentary remarks were included in the report including: "Quality goals are being met and exceeded." "This continues to be one of the best-managed Quality Management Systems this auditor has seen." "The Management System is very effective at this time. This is truly an outstanding QMS."
Understandably pleased with these superlative comments, Gordon Blackwell, vice president of operations, suggests more hard work is on the way: "I commend the entire staff of the Carolina Plant on this accomplishment. Everyone here contributes greatly to the high level of quality we strive to achieve. Producing a quality product for our customers is our daily goal. We continually seek to improve everything we do here at the plant and this latest audit, while gratifying, will only push us to make further improvements to our quality management systems."
The Carolina Plant manufactures a diverse range of thermoplastic construction membranes used for commercial roofing and environmental liner applications. Its products include: Stevens Polypropylene and Stevens Hypalon® geomembranes, as well as Stevens EP®, the world's first reinforced TPO roofing membrane, Stevens EV (KEE/Elvaloy™) and Stevens Hypalon roofing membranes and accessories. All are marketed globally under the Stevens brand name and are currently available in more than 60 countries around the world.
For more information, see www.stevensgeomembranes.com.
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