Success Stories

MEP Member

Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center – Downstate

Story Title

ISO Positions Company to Land Defense Contract

Client Profile

Corrugated Metals, Inc. provides roll-forming and metal-corrugating products and services for the construction industry, Original Equipment Manufacturers, and the U.S. military. The company employs 35 people at its facility in Belvidere, Illinois.

Situation

With a significant portion of its business coming from government contracts, Corrugated Metals decided to pursue quality, efficiency and safety improvements to make its products and services more attractive to potential customers. The company called upon the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center (IMEC), a NIST MEP network affiliate, for help.

Solution

IMEC provided training for Corrugated Metals’ employees and worked with the company on documenting processes and protocols. With a comprehensive, custom Quality Management System in place, IMEC encouraged Corrugated Metals to pursue ISO 9001:2000 certification. Following successful ISO registration, IMEC helped the company achieve certification to the U.S. military’s Qualified Suppliers List of Distributors (QSLD) in record time, completing the typical 18-month process in just 60 days. IMEC also helped the company develop a best practices safety plan that authorizes any employee to stop any action in the plant at any time for safety reasons.

Results

• Achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification.
• Awarded $30 million Department of Defense contract.
• Improved safety levels.

Testimonial

“IMEC delivers on everything they say they will. And their level of expertise and experience is just tremendous.”
Ken Carlton, President