Bendix (Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC. and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake, LLC.) which is continuing to demonstrate its commitment to compliance with industry, client and regulatory needs, has concluded IATF 16949:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 transition audits organization-wide at 13 facilities across eight locations. The company completed all audits successfully, which confirms its full transition to the new IATF and ISO standards.
IATF, the International Automotive Task Force, and ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, focus on quality management systems in IATF 16949 and ISO 9001. The previous versions of these standards were released in 2009 and 2008, respectively.
In combination, the latest standards are intended for use by automotive organizations for managing quality management system responsibilities in a globally agreed-upon manner. That contributes to overall industry goals for confirming high standards for quality and product safety.
“Bendix wants every one of our stakeholders, from clients to suppliers, to feel confident that we are implementing the necessities of these critical quality management standards properly. Third-party certification is key to helping build that confidence,” said Carlos Hungria, Bendix chief operating officer. “These latest achievements reflect our long-standing devotion to quality, to constant enhancement, and to our clients. Remaining current in all regulatory obligations; always striving to fulfill client obligations for certification levels, through robust procedures; and driving dynamic quality management systems within our operations, from design to manufacturing, are essential parts of this overall effort.”
To facilitate the transition, teams at each Bendix location prepared for more than a year to further strengthen existing quality management systems to address the latest revisions to the IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 standards.
In one area of concentration, as defined in the update, the team improved risk management within the company’s strategic planning and governance procedures. Teams also improved focus on product safety, in alignment with the company’s quality goals, product development and commercialization efforts, and global change management procedures. In addition, teams emphasized proactive initiatives aimed at meeting business and quality objectives—key performance indicators—in alignment with industry and organizational strategic goals.
Bendix manufacturing locations completing the transition to IATF 16949:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 were four facilities at the Acuña, Mexico, campus; Bowling Green, Ky.; three plants at the Huntington, Ind., operation; and North Aurora, Ill.. Support site locations were the Elyria headquarters and the engineering operations at Irvine, Calif.; Kalamazoo, Mich.; and Richmond, BC Canada. Intertek Group, Plc. conducted the external audits.
Bendix also lately completed transition audits across the company for ISO 14001:2015, which focuses on standards for environmental management systems.