TÜV SÜD issues an IMS certificate to Krones Machinery Co. Ltd. in Taicang/China for quality, environmental protection and occupational safety
The internationally recognised IMS certificate for quality, environmental protection and occupational safety has been awarded by TÜV SÜD to the Krones subsidiary Krones Machinery Co. LTD in Taicang/China.
Krones is purposefully extending the integrated management system (IMS) introduced at the German plants in 2009 to cover its facilities abroad as well. The widely diversified spectrum ranges from energy-saving measures to raising all staff’s awareness for quality, environmental protection and occupational safety. Following the successful certification of the Brazilian subsidiary Krones do Brasil Ltda., now Krones’ Chinese subsidiary, Krones Machinery Co. Ltd. in Taicang has been awarded its initial certification with the IMS Certificate for Quality (DIN EN ISO 9001), Environmental Protection (DIN EN ISO 14001) and Occupational Safety (BS OHSAS 18001). Krones Inc. in Franklin, USA, is set to follow by the end of 2014. “This means the international project is well on the way to reaching a successful conclusion before the end of this year”, explained Christian Striegl, TÜV SÜD Vice President International Sales, speaking at the official handing-over of the certificate to Krones.
The certification audit was conducted from 2 to 4 December 2013: three auditors from TÜV SÜD Management Services subjected Krones’ facility in Taicang and even a client’s own site to a meticulous scrutiny. Result: at the facility in Taicang, too, Krones has put in place an outstandingly effective management system for quality, environmental protection, occupational safety and prophylactic health care. Milestones for the introduction of an IMS included investment in a central warehouse for hazardous substances and chemicals, the introduction of TPM projects, and the auditing of the company’s vendors. Measures involved in TPM (Total Productive Management), which came in for particular praise from the TÜV SÜD team, were the increase in machine availability levels, optimisation of production costs coupled with a simultaneous rise in product quality, a general reduction in waste quantities, less noise in the generator room, and reduced dust levels in the production operation, intensive courses in occupational safety and environmental protection, with monthly monitoring of performance, and excellent contingency planning for emergencies. “IMS has been taken fully on board at Krones, and encouraged by the management”, said a congratulatory Christian Striegl when handing over the certificate to the Executive Board Chairman of Krones AG, Volker Kronseder, and the Executive Board Member responsible for International Operations and Services at Krones AG, Markus Tischer. The ceremony was also attended by Klaus Gerlach, Managing Director of Krones Taicang, and Claudius Wolf, Plant Manager at the LCS Center in Taicang, plus other senior Krones executives.
Albert Bauer, IMS Officer at Krones AG, is confident “that the trend towards certification of management and product requirements will continue to gain momentum. Besides the hard facts of the technical issues involved, soft factors like social standards are coming increasingly to the fore. We are seeing progressively more probing questions and requests for verification from both our major clients and from analysts.” The issues of environmental impact, sustainability and occupational safety are increasingly becoming an integrated constituent of structured corporate processes. Krones AG’s management programme accordingly also includes measures for sustainable social and interpersonal dealings. At the facility in Taicang, Krones proactively prioritises intensive contacts with its regional neighbours. Krones is also a member of the AHK Shanghai Competence & Training Center for vocational training in China, and in 2013 supported the “GPI Charity” with a donation for child cancer victims.
Monitoring audits measure progress in the three management systems
Following its initial certification in 2012, Krones’ Brazilian subsidiary, Krones do Brasil Ltda., last year underwent the follow-up audit scheduled every year by TÜV SÜD – designed to verify the maintenance and upgrading of the three management systems involved. “These monitoring audits are conducted every year after initial certification as a matter of routine. In the third year, a recertification procedure is mandatory, and then there are two more monitoring audits. This cycle guarantees continuous improvement of all measures involved”, to quote Daniel Weinzierl from the Quality Management Department.
What does IMS mean for the company?
- Continuous improvement process in all areas, departments and processes.
- Legal security in regard to occupational safety and environmental protection for the subsidiary concerned with reference to the local legislation (Brazil, China, USA).
- Enhanced internal transparency in regard to goal definition, processing procedures and documentation.
- Honing staff’s and vendors’ awareness levels for quality, environmental protection and safety.
- Objective evidencing of all the company’s activities in regard to quality, environmental protection and occupational safety.
