Certified Automotive Success — the IATF 16949 Certification
In demanding industries such as aerospace or automotive, failure is not an option. To ensure that every component meets the highest standards, independent organisations like the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) develop and implement global quality standards for the automotive industry.
As a leading supplier to the automotive industry, Saint-Gobain® has met IATF 16949 standards for many years, and we are proud that the Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions site in Biandrate (Italy), where Saint-Gobain h-old® tapes are manufactured, joined the family of certified plants in 2023! But what does this mean for our customers and partners?
Learn more about the challenges of achieving IATF 16949 certification and the benefits this certification brings to customers and partners in our interview with Valentina Miceli, Product Stewardship Specialist EMEA at Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions.
Why is this certification important for Biandrate?
IATF 16949 certification is a significant achievement for the team in Biandrate as it ensures compliance with quality standards in automotive manufacturing, boosting trust, brand reputation, and overall competitiveness within the industry. It qualifies our company to supply the automotive industry with certified Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions h-old products, enhancing customer satisfaction. IATF 16949 certification guarantees optimised processes and product quality, leading to fewer defects and risks.
How did the Biandrate team support the certification process?
The Biandrate team demonstrated significant collaborative efforts to achieve the certification: they supported the process through stringent quality control measures, process documentation, and teamwork to meet IATF 16949 requirements. Coordinated by the quality team, eight departments, including Purchasing, Customer Service, and Production, participated in this process. Meanwhile, the R&D and Operations teams implemented all required documentation, such as PPAP (Production Part Approval Process), a structured sampling procedure for series parts in the automotive sector. They successfully implemented FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), a tool to identify and visualise avoidable risks in product manufacturing.
What are the benefits and added value our customers can expect from Biandrate being IATF 16949 certified?
The primary benefit of IATF 16949 certification is that customers save time, money, and effort as additional quality checks are minimised. The certification enables our teams to significantly enhance our supply chain and quality reliability, further improving customer satisfaction.
Being listed in the IATF database allows customers to save time finding suitable products that meet required quality standards. Customers can verify the validity of the relevant certificate for the sites in question. The continuous drive to achieve the highest levels of quality helps to enhance credibility and corporate image.
What are the next steps to improve our processes and capabilities even further?
The certificate is valid for three years and is confirmed by certified third parties through annual audits focusing on improvements in key metrics and productivity. IATF 16949 strengthens the culture of continuous improvement within our teams, aiming to further enhance processes and capabilities. The next steps involve reinforced continuous monitoring, feedback integration, and ongoing training initiatives for our team to remain aligned with industry best practices. New Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been implemented to further increase process efficiency.
Explore Our Products for the Automotive Industry
Not only did Biandrate successfully complete the lengthy certification process, but it also joined other sites of Saint-Gobain Tape Solutions that have achieved certification. Overall, IATF 16949 certification represents a significant step forward for our plants. Take the opportunity to read more about our unique products for the automotive industry!
