Woodland Plastics Receives IATF 16949:2016 Certification
ADDISON, IL – Woodland Plastics Corporation, a custom thermoset molder of phenolic and bulk molding compound (BMC), was recently recognized for achieving certification to IATF 16949:2016 on June 5th, 2018 by Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc. IATF 16949:2016, which replaces and supersedes the previous ISO/TS 16949:2009 standard, defines the requirements of a quality management system for organizations in the automotive sector.
The new standard was published by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF), and is aligned and to be used in conjunction with the recent ISO 9001:2015 update. While IATF is used in conjunction with ISO 9001:2015, the IATF 16949:2016 standard contains only the automotive-sector specific requirements. A major emphasis in IATF 16949:2016 is a top-level management focus on risk management, or risk mitigation, throughout all processes of the organization. Employee training and re-training, employee engagement, product and equipment failure analysis, and contingency planning policies are other focal points needed to be met with the new standard.
According to Stephanie Sinderson, Vice President at Woodland Plastics, an immediate impact has been felt with the transition to IATF 16949:2016. “Operating under IATF 16949:2016 involves a strong commitment by top management towards risk prioritization and risk mitigation in all areas of the organization. With a renewed focus on key performance indicators and increased engagement from employees, we are driving more continuous improvement efforts across the organization than ever before. After only a few months, we’re seeing benefits as a direct result from policies and procedures set into place to meet the new standard.”
Woodland Plastics’ Quality Manager, Dorothy Betts, was impressed by how quickly Woodland employees were able to adapt and apply the new standard to their own daily tasks, saying “IATF 16949:2016 isn’t just a certification for us; it’s a true organizational identity we practice each day. Our team worked really hard not just learning the clauses and requirements of the new standards, but understanding how they apply to our own quality management system (QMS). It makes no sense just to work for our next recertification or compliance, what makes sense is actually making it a part of our culture.”
With the transition to IATF 16949:2016, Woodland Plastics maintains its position as a thermoset molding leader in the automotive industry. Focusing on high heat applications, Woodland Plastics lends its thermoset capabilities and expertise to automotive OEMs and suppliers in molding various under-the-hood components including transmission plugs, thrust washers, oil pan blockers, pump housings, and pulleys; along with interior applications such as ash cups and trays. Aside from the automotive market, Woodland Plastics has a presence in the electrical, appliance, lighting, energy, and industrial markets for its custom thermoset molding operations.
Contact
For questions or to learn more about Woodland Plastics thermoset molding capabilities, please contact:
Spencer Leffelman
Sales & Marketing Coordinator
Ph: (630) 543-1144 ext. 5061
