DuBOIS, PA – Atlas Pressed Metals' audit and submission of a quality management system, compliant to International Automotive Task Force (IATF) 16949:2016, has been audited and recently approved by quality system registrar SRI of Pittsburgh. The IATF standard replaces ISO/TS 16949, global standards, which outline uniform acceptable quality requirements for suppliers to the automotive industry. The new IATF standard was published in October, 2016, and suppliers must become compliant by Sept. 14, 2018; Atlas received its IATF certificate of compliance on Nov. 30.
"The majority of top automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and most Tier 1 suppliers to OEMs will only source from suppliers with these standards. We set an objective to become registered early in the transitionary period," said Atlas Pressed Metals president Jude Pfingstler. "We are proud to meet that goal. I commend our quality department, with support from our manufacturing team, for taking this on early."
The new standard has a heavier emphasis on risk management and continuous improvement objectives using the Plan-Do-Check-Act approach. Further continuous improvement plans must be evident relative to defect prevention, reduction of variation and waste. Atlas Pressed Metals, founded in 1976, is a family-owned manufacturer of powdered or sintered metal components serving the automotive, appliance, lawn and garden, small motor, hand tools, industrial, recreational vehicle and business machines markets.
Celebrating IATF certification are, from left to right, Richard Smochek, Quality Manager;
Chris Sconzo, Plant Manager; Laura Bergman, QMS Administrator; Jude Pfingstler, President.