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Custom Project Enhances Quality, Sharpens Competitive Edge

quality control in a manufacturing facility
Credit: iStock/aydinmutlu

Emhiser Research designs and manufactures a complete line of airborne and ground-based telemetry equipment. The company’s research, development, and production facility is located in Verdi, Nevada, just west of Reno. With close to 20 employees, Emhiser Research supplies telemetry equipment to all branches of the military, Department of Defense contractors, and various space agencies with mission critical products on both a prime and sub-prime basis. The facility is configured for total program management, from the design and prototype stages through full production.

With market competitiveness increasing and customer mergers and acquisitions on the rise, Emhiser Research decided to pursue ISO 9001 recertification to maintain its competitive edge. The benefits of having a certified quality management system would pave the way for doing business with new clients, while maintaining existing clients. Initially, Emhiser Research contacted Nevada Industry Excellence (NVIE), part of the MEP National NetworkTM, to learn more about the organization’s Internal Auditor workshop. After further discussion, Emhiser Research decided to participate in a customized project with NVIE to achieve their desired outcome of ISO 9001 recertification.

Emhiser Research is positioned to take their competitiveness to the next level, and, with the support of Nevada Industry Excellence, will transition to the aerospace standard of AS 9100 in the coming year.  —Larry Bevilacqua, Director

Manufacturing extension agents from NVIE worked with Emhiser Research to guide the company through the ISO 9001 recertification process. First, they performed an initial gap analysis to determine the scope of the project. Next, NVIE developed a plan to fit with the culture and needs of the company that included participating in monthly quality audits, facilitating corrective actions, and partaking in management review sessions. This approach provided Emhiser with a hands-on mentor to ensure the successful implementation of a quality management system with less risk and greater efficiency.

With NVIE’s assistance, Emhiser Research achieved ISO 9001 recertification in 2015 and has maintained it each year since. The certification positioned the company to both retain sales and add new business. With this growth, Emhiser reinvested in the business, further increasing productivity and efficiency. As a next step, the company is working with NVIE to obtain the aerospace standard of AS 9100.

Results

  • $8,000,000 in increased and/or retained sales
  • $6,000,000 in new markets

Could your company benefit from assistance with ISO certification? Connect with your local MEP Center for more information.

 

Nevada Industry Excellence is the official representative of the MEP National Network in Nevada. The MEP National Network is a unique public-private partnership that helps small and medium-sized manufacturers generate business results and thrive in today’s technology-driven economy. The MEP National Network comprises the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP), the 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

About the author

Nevada Industry Excellence

Nevada Industry Excellence (NVIE) is a non-profit organization connected through a national network of manufacturers. As a NIST MEP approved Center, NVIE is the official representative of the MEP National Network in Nevada and also serves as the industrial extension program of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Our field staff have an average of 28 years in industry leadership positions. Our extended staff of third party experts helps us bring timely and focused services to companies based on their specific needs and goals.

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