ISO certification for gaskets manufacturer 28 Jun 2018

Rubber seals and gaskets manufacturer VIP Polymers from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, UK has been awarded the ISO 14001, the latest version of the international standard.

Extrusion converts uncured compound to final product

The assessment was based on elements of a new management system which incorporates quality, health and safety, and environmental awareness in an integrated approach towards company growth. It was first introduced in 2016, and is being developed in-house by Dan Rowe, VIP Senior Quality Engineer, and Neil Search, Quality and Systems Manager.

“The ISO assessor from BSI was complimentary about our management system, saying we were raising the bar, and that some of its elements were the best he had seen at any manufacturer in the UK. Passing the audit at the first attempt reflects the hard work put in by everyone involved,” said Dan Rowe.

The new management system involves new tools and techniques such as the introduction of a new form of life-cycle assessment known as a Chi-Bi diagram, and a new method for assessing risks across all areas of the business.

“We have developed a new approach to risk management, moving from a predictive model to one based on introducing specific control processes to manage risk. We have also looked at every stage of how our seals and gaskets are designed and manufactured to maximise quality, cut waste and energy use, and reduce impact on the environment.

“Thanks to this process, which involves our whole organisation, our customers can be sure we are continuously improving the sustainability, quality, and value of our products,” said Neil Search.

VIP already holds the ISO 9001:2015 certification and is working towards achieving the newly published ISO 45001:2018 standard for health and safety management systems.

The company manufactures tunnel segment gaskets and pipe seals and gaskets to national and international standards, for major infrastructure projects around the world. It has total control of the research and development and manufacturing process by compounding and mixing its own rubber and having in house product design and testing through to the final manufacture of the products.