Since its launch 25 years ago, over 1 million companies in more than178 countries have been certified to the internationally recognised standard for Quality Management Systems, ISO 9001. NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) celebrated ISO’s 25th anniversary by praising the first company in Ireland to have been ISO 9001 certified by NSAI in 1987 at a special awards event. In addition, more than 30 other Irish and Irish based multinational companies were also certified to various standards across diverse industry sectors including manufacturing, technology, engineering, transport and construction.

Speaking at the event, John Perry, TD, Minister for Small Business, said, “Ireland’s small and medium size organisations benefit most from standards and certification. They can open the door to export markets, win new business, create growth and reduce business risks. In 1987, Longford based contract injection moulding company Tool and Plastic became the first Irish company to be certified to ISO 9001 by NSAI, taking its first step toward implementing quality management systems. The company is today being recognised for its pioneering work, driven by their passion for quality, from the company’s very foundation in 1968. Using standards such as ISO 9001 can give Irish companies the required competitive edge they need to perform confidently in both the domestic and vitally important international markets.”

More than 1,200 companies are currently certified to ISO 9001 by NSAI, with over 150 Irish companies certified in 2011 alone. A Harvard study¹ of 1,000 companies has shown that ISO 9001 adopters have a greater chance for survival, suffering less “firm deaths” than non-ISO adopters. Organisations that pursued standards had higher growth rates for sales, employment, payroll and average annual earnings. Sales were close to 10% higher and there was higher employment growth at ISO certified workplaces.

Mr Maurice Buckley, CEO, NSAI, said, “On the 25th anniversary of the ISO 9001 standard, we honour both the first company to be certified in Ireland by NSAI as well as the 30 other companies being certified this morning. It is vital for businesses to understand that Standards are systems that become a company-wide way of doing business that puts the customer and his or her needs at the centre of all you do. ISO certification is not a one-time event - it is just the first step in on-going continuous quality improvement and has become the standard for conducting business in the international arena.”
 

For further information on Certificate Presentations contact Peter O'Reilly, NSAI Public Relations

Presenting the certificates:
John Perry, T.D, Minister of State with responsibility for Small Business & Maurice Buckley, CEO, NSAI

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Group of 30 Companies that received NSAI Certification	Airforce H&V I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008	All Star Shredding I.S. EN ISO 14001:2004	Anglo Printing Ltd I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008
Biomnis Ireland (Logistics Division) I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008 I.S. EN ISO 14001:2004	Britvic Ireland Ballygowan OHSAS 18001:2007	Celtic Anglian Water I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008 I.S. EN ISO 14001:2004 OHSAS 18001:2007	Cyclone Group Ltd I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008 I.S. EN ISO 14001:2004
Dublin Airport Authority I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008	Dublin Tanker Repairs Services Ltd I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008	Ecocem Ireland Ltd I.S. EN ISO 14001:2004	EPH Controls Ltd I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008
Harmac Medical Products Ltd I.S. EN ISO 14001:2004	HSG Zander Ireland I.S. EN ISO 14001:2004 OHSAS 18001:2007	Hydroscand Ltd I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008	Irish Packaging Recycling Ltd I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008
KMCO Group I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008	KMK Metals Recycling OHSAS 18001:2007	Leo Pharma I.S. EN ISO 14001:2004	Lipton Soft Drinks Ireland OHSAS 18001:2007
M50 Concession I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008 I.S. EN ISO 14001:2004 OHSAS 18001:2007	McMullen Engineering Consultants Ltd I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008	Mezwell Ltd I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008
Micromail Ltd I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008	MP Ryan Ltd OHSAS 18001:2007	Multiplex Engineering Calibration Division I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008	Panorama Engineering Ltd I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008
PRL Group I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008	SDL Global Solutions (Ireland) Ltd I.S. EN ISO 14001:2004	UPC Communications OHSAS 18001:2007	Voice Engineer Ireland I.S. EN ISO 9001:2008

Notes:
¹Harvard Business School, Quality management and job quality: How the ISO 9001 standard for Quality Management Systems Affects Employees and Employers, David I. Levine & Michael W. Toffel, January 2010.