ISO Certification Pays Off for American Ingredients
"South Suburban College and CMC were somebody we could trust. A lot of people offer a low price but when it comes to implementation they are gone. Having a relationship with SSC gave us a level of trust that they would lead us in the right direction."One by one the customers of American Ingredients, a manufacturer of food emulsifiers, began clamoring for ISO certification. The Dolton plant's client list reads like a who's who of the Fortune 100: General Mills, Pillsbury, Sara Lee, Union Carbide, BP Amoco. What the company's customers wanted, American Ingredients wanted to deliver.
- Richard Hulfeld, Manufacturing Director
Manufacturing Director Richard Hulfeld was impressed with a series of presentations from representatives of South Suburban College, an affiliate of the Chicago Manufacturing Center. That, coupled with the comfort and trust level Hulfeld says he has working with a community college, clinched the deal.
American Ingredients began the certification process in January 1999. Twenty-seven months later the company received its certification. And it has definitely paid off for American Ingredients.
- There has been a net increase in business.
- Productivity has increased at least 20 percent. American Ingredients is now getting more output per man-hour than any time in its history. "We are at an output we never thought we could achieve," says Hulfeld.
- The company is more agile. Hulfeld says going through the certification process has improved efficiency, which in turn has allowed American Ingredients respond to market changes more quickly. Customer satisfaction is up.
- Being ISO certified has helped the company secure funding for capital expenditures that Hulfeld says have been considerable.
- And, the company's Dutch owners are so pleased with the plant's efficiency they have given their blessing to explore the possibility of expanding the facility in both property and machinery.
