Why ISO Manufacturing Standards Matter in Roll Forming

Many manufacturers requesting roll forming services ask first and foremost: Can you prove your competence?

One of the easiest ways for your roll former to do that is point to the fancy ISO 9001:2015 certification hanging on its wall (or website). The name’s confusing, but 9001:2015 is the most recent certification available, and it’s a great indicator of reliability.

The original deadline for businesses in all industries to transition from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015 manufacturing standards was Sept. 14, 2018. The exception was companies who initiated the certification audit process by that date -- those companies had until March 15, 2019, to complete any outstanding activities.

In other words, roll forming companies that have not adopted ISO 9001:2015 are no longer ISO 9001 certified.

Why does this matter to you when you’re seeking a metal roll former or other manufacturing partner?

ISO Manufacturing Standards Certification: Taking Business Seriously

Simply put, being ISO 9001 certified means a business focuses on producing goods and services that meet high standards of quality and conform to regulations. These guidelines are set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and provide international standards. The ISO 9001 guidelines give businesses a road map that helps them become better organized, more efficient, and fully dedicated to continuous improvement.

For manufacturers, including roll formers, ISO 9001 addresses some fundamentals, such as:

• Ongoing improvement in all aspects of the business

• Product and service quality standards

• Appropriate staffing

• Continuous monitoring of products and processes

• Methods for addressing problems as quickly as possible

In other words, ISO 9001 – and, specifically, ISO 9001:2015 certification means a company has met high standards for performance in all areas of its business. It’s an important indicator that the company values its customers and wants to be a strong representative of its industry.

ISO 9001 Changes From 2008 to 2015

Change can be rapid in manufacturing. Over the past few years, globalization has advanced, supply chains have become more complicated, and customer expectations have risen. At least in part because of the changing business environment, the International Organization for Standardization (yes, it’s properly abbreviated “ISO”) decided to update ISO 9001 to make it more relevant to the current industry.

ISO 9001 changes from 2008 to 2015 include some important improvements:

• Adopts a high-level structure that accommodates companies using a variety of quality management system standards.

• It hones in more closely on assessing risk, both short- and long-term.

That second point is particularly important because it puts the focus on measuring systems. In other words, it’s more about business results and less about processes and procedures. It helps the companies that use it understand how they intersect with stakeholders inside and outside of the organization.

From the Customer’s Perspective

ISO 9001:2015 certification demonstrates the long-term viability of your roll forming company as a supplier. It shows that the company is paying attention to its health instead of getting caught up in trying to make this or that particular procedure more efficient. Instead, it works toward the highest efficiency of the entire system.

Although individual procedures and their efficiency are important, what’s needed is a concentration on strategy and planning. It’s necessary to see risks and work to prevent poor outcomes. Your own supply chain and lead times could take a real hit if suddenly your roll former was unable to come through with an order.

ISO certification sends a message to all its stakeholders, including management and other employees, customers, and even the bank and the landlord. That message is that your roll former is a reliable partner providing a high-quality product for the lowest price possible. In short, certification shows that your vendor understands customer satisfaction and works to achieve real value.

Shopping for a Roll Former? Check for ISO Manufacturing Standards Certification

ISO manufacturing standards certification isn’t the only reason to go with a particular roll forming company, of course. But it should be high on the list of qualifiers. A company not organized or proficient enough to keep up with industry standards is probably not a reliable choice.

It’s also easy to find out if a company has the certification. Most businesses display it proudly on their website.

Dahlstrom is ISO 9001:2015 certified, so if you have any questions about these regulations, get in touch.

(Editor's note: This article was originally published in February 2019 and was recently updated).