Curtiss-Wright Earns AS9100 Aerospace Quality Systems Certification
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LEESBURG, VA, December 5, 2005 - Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing today announced that it has been awarded AS9100 certification for its Leesburg, Virginia and Ottawa, Ontario operations. That Curtiss-Wright has met the stringent requirements necessary for this international aerospace quality system standard for aerospace industry suppliers ensures customers that the company meets the highest quality standards.
AS9100, which is overseen by the International Aerospace Quality Group, standardizes quality management system requirements and delivers quality assurance in design, development, production, installation and servicing. The standard also drives cost reductions throughout the aerospace industry supply chain. Curtiss-Wright's accreditation program was directed by Gerry Bellehumeur, Quality Director, Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing, Ottawa. The AS9100 audit was performed by TUV America.
"Curtiss-Wright is pleased to have met the stringent requirements defined in AS9100 at both of the operational sites we sought to have certified," explained Tom Quinly, President of Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing. "This accomplishment, achieved from start to finish in only five months, helps us better serve leading partner companies, such as the Boeing Company, that require their suppliers to meet AS9100 certification."
Going forward, Curtiss-Wright has developed plans to implement the AS9100 standard at additional operational sites throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. The benefits of AS9100 accreditation for Curtiss-Wright include expanded market access as a result of a standardized process system recognized across the aerospace industry. Meeting AS9100 also ensures Curtiss-Wright's customers of the company's commitment to quality and builds their trust and confidence. Because AS9100 drives ongoing improvements in products and processes it reduces errors and returns and increases customer satisfaction, resulting in reduced transaction costs.
Curtiss-Wright's goal in seeking certification was to standardize the company's aerospace quality assurance procedures at its Leesburg and Ottawa locations in order to reduce verification requirements, methods and audits while improving quality and safety, and decreasing costs and waste. Meeting AS9100 has become an increasingly important milestone for embedded computing suppliers of aerospace systems and components. Increasingly, major aerospace contractors are requiring AS9100 compliance. Suppliers to Boeing, for example, must meet requirements for the Boeing Quality Management System (BQMS) which includes AS9100 certification, or they must be granted a special waiver. The benefit for leading aerospace contractors and their customers is significantly improved product quality and associated reduction in costs.
"Obtaining AS9100 certification for any organization is a monumental task," said Gerry Bellehumeur. "That Curtiss-Wright was able to complete certification for both of our sites in five months is an exceptional accomplishment. We are proud to have set our goals at world class levels and not only meet, but exceed them."
With the AS9100 procedures in place, Curtiss-Wright is better able to serve major aerospace contractors. The company's other customers benefit as well from the resulting quality and cost improvements. AS9100 compliance exceeds the ISO9001:2000 quality standard, on which it's based, with additional quality system requirements such as independent validation of materials and processes. It adds approximately 80 additional requirements and 18 amplifications to the ISO 9001:2000 Standard. The standard addresses the unique, complex, and highly regulated nature of the defense aerospace industry.
The process of meeting AS9100 entailed major changes throughout the Curtiss-Wright organization. These procedural enhancements included re-working engineering procedures, merging practices and procedures for the two operational sites, Leesburg and Ottawa, and providing appropriate training to all personnel. In all, a total of 200 procedures were updated.
About Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing
Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing is the industry's most comprehensive and experienced single source for embedded solutions, ranging from Processing, Subsystems, Data Communication, DSP, and Video & Graphics to the most advanced board level components and fully integrated custom systems. The Embedded Computing group serves the defense, aerospace, commercial and industrial markets and is part of Curtiss-Wright Controls Inc. For more information about Curtiss-Wright visit www.cwcembedded.com.
About Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Curtiss-Wright Controls is the motion control segment of Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW). With manufacturing facilities around the world, Curtiss-Wright Controls is a leading technology-based organization providing niche motion control products, subsystems and services internationally for the aerospace and defense markets. For more information, visit www.cwcontrols.com.
