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Clarion Continues Leadership with Second ISO/TS 16949 Certification

29 August 2000

Clarion Technologies Continues World Leadership with Second ISO/TS 16949 Certification

    ANDERSON, S.C., Aug. 28 Clarion Technologies, Inc.
is continuing its role as leader among automotive suppliers in
North America and the world with ISO/TS 16949 certification. The company's
Anderson, South Carolina facility received their certificate today, making it
the second of Clarion's seven production locations to achieve this new
standard since it was established.
    The Clarion-Anderson facility is the fifth facility in North America and
15th in the world to receive ISO/TS 16949 certification. Clarion's facility in
Greenville, Michigan became the first company in North America to be approved
when they received ISO/TS 16949 certification in May of this year.
    ISO/TS 16949 is a new quality standard which specifically addresses the
requirements of the automotive industries in the United States and Europe. The
ISO/TS 16949 common automotive quality system requirement is based on ISO
9001: 1994, AVSQ (Italian), EAQF (French), QS-9000 (U.S.) and VDA 6.1
(German). The standard is the end result of months of effort to standardize
the different countries' automotive industry requirements. The International
Automotive Task Force (IATF) members jointly developed the standard.
    The new standard does not replace previous standards, but represents a
preferred option for suppliers that will improve products and processes and
provide additional confidence for global sourcing.
    "We are very proud to announce this accomplishment at our Clarion facility
in Anderson, South Carolina," said Bill Beckman, President of Clarion
Technologies.  "Clarion's plan is to certify all seven of our production
locations, including the Technology Center, by January 1, 2001. Injection
molding is a competitive industry, and we want our customers to know that we
are the best choice in the business."
    "Accomplishing ISO/TS 16949 is not an easy process, but Clarion
Technologies is reaping the benefits through continuous improvement and
growth," said David Tinsley, Quality Operating Systems Manager for Clarion.
"The process makes our operating systems better, and better systems means
better service and better results for our customers."
    Clarion will be joined by industry associates, customers, government
officials and community neighbors on Tuesday, August 29, to celebrate ISO/TS
16949 certification on the facility's front lawn at 3410 Highway 24 in
Anderson, SC.
    The Clarion-Anderson plant is one of six manufacturing facilities operated
by Clarion Technologies in Ohio, Michigan and South Carolina. The company also
operates a technical design center in Jenison, Michigan.  Clarion
Technologies' total operating space is approximately 700,000 square feet.  The
manufacturing operations include 150 injection molding machines ranging in
size from 50 to 5000 tons of clamping force.  The company's headquarters are
located in Holland, Michigan.
    Entela, Inc., QSRD conducted the ISO/TS 16949 audits for Clarion.
Management Solutions Group, a Grand Rapids consulting firm, assisted the
Anderson facility in preparation.