A Wicklow company is celebrating after achieving certification to key international business standards in Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001), Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001) and Occupational Health and Safety Management (OHSAS 18001).
Operating since 1974, Woodfab Timber Limited is a processing and preservation company. Logs are bought in from Coillte and Private Suppliers for the manufacture and supply of timber Post and Rail, Fencing and Decking Components, Packaging Materials, Farm Fencing Posts, Biomass and Wood Shavings.
It employs 47 people at its facility in Aughrim and was among 24 organisations honoured at a special ceremony at the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) offices in Dublin on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017.
Speaking at the event, John Colclough, Sales Manager at Woodfab Timber said achieving certification to these standards will help give the firm a competitive edge.
“It was a very worthwhile project. The long-term business success of Woodfab Timber Ltd. depends on our ability to continually improve the quality of our products while protecting people and the environment,” said Mr Colclough.
“This commitment is in the best interest of our customers, our employees and the communities in which we live and work. The savings and opportunities identified during the certification process will allow Woodfab to set performance objectives, measure results, assess and continually improve,” he added.
All of the organisations who achieved certification were independently audited by NSAI inspectors in order to ensure they complied with the standards.
They join an elite group of over 3,000 organisations who are currently NSAI-certified in a variety of areas such as Quality Management Systems, Environmental Management Systems, Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, Asset Management Systems, and the Human Resource framework, Excellence Through People.
The 24 organisations honoured at the ceremony have offices or facilities in 14 different counties and were presented with their certificates by the Minister for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen TD.
“Achieving certification takes hard work and dedication. It can only occur when a team of smart, competent, dedicated people work together, but it also takes great leadership and a team effort,” said Minister Breen.
“Standards play a pivotal role in supporting Ireland’s continuing economic recovery by significantly boosting trade and GDP and creating new jobs,” he added.
According to a new survey conducted by NSAI, almost two-thirds of Irish organisations believe that a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic would negatively impact their business.
A further 14 per cent of respondents who took part in the online poll said they didn’t know whether customs controls along the 500km frontier would harm their trade, while 23 per cent said they believed it would have no impact.
With just under a month to go until Brexit negotiations are predicted to officially start; Irish businesses are split as to whether the UK’s exit from the European Union will affect how they operate.
55 per cent of the organisations surveyed believe that Brexit as a whole will negatively impact their organisation. A further 19 per cent said it wouldn’t, while 26 per cent said they don’t know.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, NSAI Chief Executive Geraldine Larkin highlighted the importance of businesses using standards in uncertain times.
“Certification helps support businesses as they develop and grow. Additionally, standards help to create a greater sense of pride within an organisation, increase staff satisfaction and improve staff retention,” said Ms Larkin.
“With Brexit looming, it appears that British pre-qualification requirements for tendering may begin to demand certification to ISO international standards as a prerequisite. I urge all Irish organisations who may be considering this route to be prepared,” she added.
NSAI invites members of the business community and the general public to get involved in the development of standards by visiting the Your Standards, Your Say web portal on www.nsainep.ie . All standards are also available from www.standards.ie
For further information, visit NSAI.ie, like us on Facebook at NSAI or follow us on Twitter @NSAI_Standards
