Engineering Industry raising standards Four Irish Engineering companies certified by NSAI
At a recent certification event hosted by NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland), the engineering industry came out on top with four companies awarded with various internationally recognised standards, by John Perry, T.D, Minister of State with responsibility for Small Business. The companies were commended by NSAI and the Minister Perry for their success in pursuing a continuous improvement strategy for their business and the beneficiaries of their services.
Established in 1996, Kiliwex Ltd, a private limited Civil Engineering and Building Contracting was awarded with the international recognised Quality Management System IS 9001. Other recipients of certifications on the day included; Nicolas O‘Dwyer Ltd. Consulting Engineers, who provide water engineering, environmental and civil and structural engineering services, received the certification OHSAS 18001 for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems; T. Bourke & Co. Limited, mechanical engineers formed in 1968 were awarded the standard for Environmental Management, IS 14001 and Varming Consulting Engineers, who received both these certifications in their multiple presentation of ISO 14001, Environmental
Management Systems and OHSAS 18001 for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. Varming were also the first engineering consultancy in Ireland to be accredited to the internationally recognised management standard ISO 9001. Speaking at the award event, held in NSAI’s Dublin office, Minister Perry said, “The question for Irish industry is not what you gain from standards and certification, it’s the business opportunities lost without them. Globally recognised standards such as ISO provides you with instant credibility, they differentiate your products, services and business. They improve efficiency,
“The question for Irish industry is not what you gain from standards and certification, it’s the business opportunities lost without them”
Ann Riordan, Chairperson, NSAI and President of the Institute of Directors; Darragh O’Connell, Managing Director of Kiliwex and John Perry, T.D, Minister of State with responsibility for Small Business
46
helping you to conserve money, manpower, time, facilities, and natural resources, as well as breaking down trade barriers and opening doors in new markets”. A recent Harvard study of 1,000 Californian companies has shown that ISO 9000 adopters have a greater chance for survival, suffering less “firm deaths” than non-ISO adopters. Organisations that pursued standards had higher growth rates for sales, employment, payroll and average annual earnings. Sales were close to 10% higher and there was higher employment growth at ISO certified workplaces. In years one to three after certification, there was a 6% growth in employment. This rises to 32.5% growth in year’s seven to nine. NSAI have certified more than 120 Irish companies in various ISO management systems last year. Mr. Maurice Buckley, CEO, NSAI, said, “I urge other engineering companies to look at certification and standards as a means to achieving the best chance of commercial success for their own organisation”.
Ann Riordan, Chairperson, NSAI and President of the Institute of Directors; James Kavanagh, Chief Executive and David Farren, QHSE Manager with John Perry, T.D, Minister of State with responsibility for Small Business.