Trizo has held AS9100 accreditation since 2008. So we’ve had plenty of time to evaluate its impact on our business and our customers. It’s interesting to note how embedding such a rigorous standard into our manufacturing operations has benefitted customers even outside of the aerospace sector where it’s a requirement.
Perhaps this isn’t surprising when the underlying objective is to produce compliant, safe and highly reliable products. Outside, perhaps, of low cost, high volume consumer products, reliability is always a priority, strict quality control is always welcome.
Global Quality Standards
Introduced in 1999, AS9100 Aerospace Management Systems has become the global standard for aerospace industry and high-reliability markets.
Gaining AS9100 accreditation means having strict control over the entire process: component sourcing, inventory management, design, assembly, testing and documentation.
There’s 100% traceability of every component and assembly. It brings rigour that leaves nothing to chance and ensures that the root cause of any production or service issue can be quickly isolated and eliminated.
The standard works alongside the more general ISO 9001. In addition there are more than 100 specific requirements. Too many to list them all here, but some of the most relevant relate to:
- Preventing counterfeit parts entering the process
- Supply chain management
- Product management and traceability
- Processes for product design, development and production that ensure compliance
- Configuration management
- Risk management
High-Reliability Markets
It’s fairly obvious how working to this level of quality control and accountability would have knock-on benefits for markets where AS9100 isn’t a formal requirement but where reliability and traceability are still vital.
A Quality Culture
AS9100 is more than a quality manual or set of procedures. There has to be a demonstrable leadership commitment to achieving high and consistent standards and to continuous improvement.
It’s a way of working. Like any quality system it’s always a work in progress, which brings increasing benefits to our customers across multiple sectors.
If you’re interested in learning more about modern electronics manufacturing for high reliability markets access our free resource centre to find out more.
