Certification ISO 9001 #3
[ THE E’NERGYS GROUP’S M’GYS ACHIEVES ISO 9001 CERTIFICATION]
M’GYS achieves ISO 9001 certification in February 2020. Committed to its high standards, M’GYS is one of the few level 4 electrical maintenance operators to offer this certification, ensuring top-tier quality for its customers.
See the interview with Mayeul Ayite, Technical Director at M’GYS.
What is ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 outlines the criteria for implementing an effective quality management system. It is applicable to any organization, regardless of size or industry.
This standard is built on key quality management principles, including a strong focus on customer satisfaction, leadership commitment, a process-driven approach, and a dedication to continuous improvement. Adopting ISO 9001 ensures that customers receive consistent, high-quality products and services, leading to strong business outcomes in return.
What does ISO 9001 certification mean for M’GYS?
ISO 9001 has an impact on two major areas:
- Business: ISO 9001 is a guarantee of quality that reassures customers;
- Internal organization: it is essential to consistently ensure that your quality policy is applied. The aim is to maintain know-how and a certain level of quality, which must be constant.
There are more and more competitors on the market. “This standard reinforces our commitment to excellence, distinguishing us as one of the few certified level 4 maintenance operators.” Unlike smaller businesses, large groups are often ISO 9001 certified.
What are the expected benefits?
We want to develop our commercial offer. At present, we rely heavily on Facility Managers. From now on, we’ll be able to present ourselves more directly to customers. What’s more, a large number of calls for tenders require ISO 9001 certification, so we were unable to respond to them before.
This certification will also empower us to develop our internal organization through continuous improvement. Implementing these clear processes will enhance our efficiency.
How did the certification process go?
Certification unfolded in several stages:
- Getting to know the standard: visualizing and clarifying the process while determining the goals
- Internal audit (through a service provider): document review to make sure the quality system is defined in accordance with the standard.
- AFNOR audit: assessment audit to validate the feasibility of obtaining certification.
- Initial audit: on-site interviews
A certificate valid for 3 years was then issued. The aim now is to maintain it.
Every year, an auditor will come and check that the certification is sustainable, that customers are satisfied, that there is continuous improvement and that the quality system is effective.
What difficulties did the certification entail? How did you overcome them?
The main difficulty was that you have to monitor and involve everyone, at every level of the chain.
This meant a change in the way we work, particularly where new tools are involved.
It’s a daily task.
Your best memory?
The best memory was the assessment audit that took place on November 27, 2019. After several months’ work on the subject, the auditor gave his verdict on the feasibility of achieving certification. Thanks to our hard work, we got a thumbs-up! This confirmed our decision to undertake all this work.
Your worst memory?
After the assessment audit, we had to carry out an internal audit. We used an external service provider, who pointed out a number of things. There was still a long way to go, and it was likely to be complicated.
What do you think are the key success factors?
The key success factors were the designated managers who played their role well:
- overseeing the teams and sounding the alarm when necessary,
- coming up with ideas on the transposition of the standard’s requirements and on the company’s processes. Managing and implementing the ISO 9001 requirements,
- Checking documents and comparing with what was done in actual practice.
What are your next steps?
January 2021, internal audit.
February 2021 for the progress visit one year after certification.