Jul 7 2009
Corus Living Solutions (CLS), the North Wales based modular manufacturing business of Corus, has been awarded certification to three internationally recognised business management systems: ISO 9001 for Quality Management; ISO 14001 for Environmental Management and OHSAS 18001 for Health and Safety Management.
Having established an integrated approach to quality, environmental and health & safety management across the business, CLS sought to reinforce the value of its products and services to its customers by seeking validation from an internationally recognised certification system. Not only does this offer assurance for the customer that the most optimum processes are in place but it demonstrates the company's commitment to continual improvement as the standards are constantly measured with, both internal and external audits, to ensure they are being maintained and improved.
Richard Jones, General Manager of CLS, comments: "We have consistently set targets and objectives to improve both the product we manufacture and the processes we use. This means working with everybody in our organisation to make sure that these objectives are communicated and understood and fully implemented from factory floor and construction site to top level management. The ISO certification that we have achieved allows us to demonstrate all the good work that is taking place internally in order to maximise business efficiencies and create the best possible offering for our clients."
The very nature of off-site manufacture allows CLS, via its semi-automated manufacturing facility in Shotton, to offer clients all the quality, precision and consistency you would expect from factory assembly using world class computer-aided design and engineering technology. In addition, this method of construction, coupled with a keen focus on health and safety and training allowed CLS to recently achieve 850 days worked without a lost time injury in its factory and across its construction sites.
Whilst the Health and Safety and Quality Management Systems were already well established in the business, CLS has taken the opportunity presented in gaining certification to ISO 14001 to increase awareness of environmental issues across the business and to make improvements in the area of waste reduction and management. Waste mapping activities are being rolled out throughout the factory and offices to identify wastes generated by all materials and processes and then to generate and implement product improvements to reduce, reuse and recycle wherever possible. This has already led to significant successes in material reuse and, more importantly, to outstanding participation and engagement of CLS employees.
Jones concludes: "Being awarded ISO certification for all three management systems is a proud moment for CLS and the culmination of a great effort by many people within our organisation. Special thanks to all those involved for their relentless efforts."
Corus Living Solutions' certification was independently audited and verified by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance (LRQA), a leading provider of management certification.