Raybestos Industrie-Produkte and Raybestos Friction Products - Suzhou Receive Quality Certifications
30 September 1998
Raytech Corporation Announces That Raybestos Industrie-Produkte GmbH AND Raybestos Friction Products - Suzhou - Co. Ltd. Have Both Received QS-9000 And ISO 9001 Certification
SHELTON, Conn.--Sept. 30, 1998--Raytech Corporation announces that two more of its subsidiaries have achieved QS-9000 and ISO 9001 certification, the validation of quality performance required to do business in the automotive industry today.
Raybestos Industrie-Produkte GmbH of Morbach, Germany, received the prestigious designation for its research and development, production and finance and administrative operation. The subsidiary is a leading producer of dry friction material for use in Europe and the United States.
Raybestos Friction Products (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. of Suzhou, China, also received QS-9000 certification for finishing operations. The Suzhou facility celebrated its grand opening on September 15, 1998. Although the finishing operation was the only step available for audit, it is anticipated the remainder of the processes will be QS-9000 certified in the near future.
Commenting on the recent news, Albert A. Canosa, Raytech's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our dedication to the corporate commitment to excellence is evidenced with these achievements. The hard work and determination of our employees at these subsidiaries has been appropriately recognized in the achievement of the high standards set by these awards. These certifications are another example of Raytech Corporation's strong commitment to our customers in automotive original equipment and aftermarket segments."
The prestigious QS-9000 certification further demonstrates the commitment to world class excellence in both the quality of products manufactured and the overall quality management systems utilized.
The QS-9000 requirements replace the individual quality requirements formerly used by each of the Big Three automakers, instead blending them into one overall system. They apply to companies who directly supply the Big Three and the major truck manufacturers and other automobile makers throughout the world.
The QS-9000 requires suppliers not only to control their own quality processes but also those of their own vendors, the lower-tier suppliers. The requirements also affect companies supplying services to the Big Three and the truck manufacturers, such as construction companies who build their factories or distribution centers.
QS-9000 was based upon an extension of the widely accepted international ISO 9001 standards, with many additional criteria to reflect the auto industry's special needs.
Both Raybestos Industrie-Produkte GmbH and Raybestos Friction Products (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. quality systems were audited and certified by TUV-CERT (QSA), a leading independent accredited registrar.
Raybestos Products Company, which specializes in the design, development, production and distribution of friction materials, and the production and distribution of specialty engineered friction-related products to the automotive and heavy duty markets received QS-9000 and ISO 9001 certification earlier this year.
Raytech Corporation is headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut, with operations serving world markets for energy absorption and power transmission products, as well as custom-engineered components.