Member Article

TS16949 quality accreditation drives growth potential for RDM

A leading Coventry manufacturer has improved its quality management system and is now targeting a host of new business wins.

RDM Group, which is based on the Bilton Industrial Estate in the City, has taken just nine months to secure the global TS16949 International Quality Management Standard.

The benefits of being awarded this coveted accreditation are immense as the certification is accepted throughout the automotive supply chain as an industry benchmark and is being used when selecting suppliers for new models and platform launches.

David Keene, Chairman of RDM Group, explained:

“We are incredibly proud of this achievement. This essentially rubber-stamps our business credentials and allows us to present ourselves as a globally recognised supplier.

“Ultimately, the car makers have procurement specifications that require this certification as a pre-requisite for tenders. We are thinking big and have made significant investments to ensure we have the capability to win and deliver new business.”

Subscribers to the standard include Rolls Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, Ford and Volkswagen. The process was overseen by RDM’s Quality Manager Ian Tyson.

He added: “The process was extremely robust and challenging, but worth the effort that everyone here has made. After our initial registration was submitted we were assessed and audited at two different stages. Following on from the accreditation there will be a programme of annual surveillance visits and a three yearly recertification audit.”

Since the TS16949 standard was introduced in 2002 it has resulted in substantial improvements in all aspects of quality, delivery and overall efficiency throughout the automotive supply chain. It has also reduced the requirement for multiple audits of manufacturers.

RDM Group, which celebrates its 21st birthday this year, employs 38 people. In addition to the automotive work, it also boasts telematics and meditec divisions that provide cutting edge hardware/software solutions and innovative assisted living products respectively.

For further information, please contact Miles Garner on 024 7663 5818, visit www.rdmgroup.co.uk or follow @rdm_group_

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .