STADCO BUSINESSES ACHIEVE ISO/TS16949 QUALITY STANDARD

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STADCO BUSINESSES ACHIEVE ISO/TS16949 QUALITY STANDARD
03 February 2004 - Stadco

Stadco, the leading European supplier of body-in-white stampings and sub assemblies to the auto industry, has acquired certification to the new ISO/TS 16949 quality approval standard across the company's four operating plants in the UK.

As one of the first UK and European automotive pressing groups to achieve this standard, Stadco has underlined its commitment to provide the highest quality products and services that meet the exacting requirements of its automotive customers.

Until recently car manufacturers focussed on their own quality standards, with QS9000 being the only real attempt at unification. TS 16949 is a breakthrough in the automotive industry as it represents a consensus amongst most of the world's largest car makers and is a starting point in the harmonisation and globalisation of designer specified standards. Aimed primarily at tier one suppliers, TS 16949 is a technical specification developed and supported by vehicle manufacturers in Europe, America and Japan and will help define quality system requirements for the global automotive supply chain.

Commenting on the benefits to Stadco's automotive customers on achieving the standard, Andrew Morriss, Stadco managing director said: "Having to meet third party approval through the TS 16949 standard means that our automotive customers can be assured that the quality management systems operating within Stadco meet the most stringent requirements removing the need for them to undertake further second party audits, saving them time and money."

In order to maintain TS 16949 approval, Stadco will undergo two continuing assessment visits annually at each plant which will be conducted by BSI Management Systems.

Stadco's recently acquired Saarlouis plant in southeast Germany currently has the QS9000 automotive standard and will be working towards obtaining TS 16949 certification.

In addition, Stadco has also announced that its Tipton and Shrewsbury plants have achieved ISO 18001, the highest Occupational Health and Safety Management System standard for the industry. Although not required by customers, ISO 18001 will help Stadco continually review, monitor and improve safety in the workplace and importantly allow advance planning for the prevention of accidents, which will result in a reduction in lost time due to accidents and therefore disruption to customers. Stadco's other UK plants are currently working towards ISO 18001 accreditation in 2004.

http://www.stadco.co.uk

About: Stadco
Stadco Ltd, part of the privately-owned Acertec Group, is one of the fastest growing players in the global market for body-in-white technology. Its acquisition in mid 2004 of the former Mayflower Vehicle Systems business doubled its turnover to more than EUR300 million and provided it with some of the most advanced press shop facilities and sub assembly operations in the industry. The company operates from eight sites in the UK and two in Germany, including a major presence at Ford's Saarlouis facility in Germany where it manufactures BIW assemblies for the new Focus model. Other major clients include BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar, Aston Martin and MG Rover.

Stadco Engineering brings together the global resources and skills of both Stadco and MVS and has a tremendous track record, most recently proven in the mould-breaking body of the advanced Ford GT project (with its roots in the legendary Ford GT 40) and the Mercedes-Benz Accelo in Brazil. Based in Coventry, UK, Stadco Engineering gives the company newfound strengths in body engineering, enabling it to win new business calling on a 'total solutions' approach rather than merely being a supplier of body-in-white production and assembly expertise.

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