October 2003

Triple Award for Aerospace Supplier

AO Henton Engineering achieves ISO 14001, ISO 9001:2000 and AS 9100 status all in one month.

Hinckley based, AO Henton Engineering was awarded ISO 14001, the international standard for environmental management, and then ISO 9001:2000, the updated quality management system standard, as well as AS 9100, the quality standard for the aerospace industry, in September 2003 by BSi.

As a precision machining company with customers in the aerospace industry, the company was always aware of the need for good environmental practice, but needed to implement ISO 14001 in response to customer needs. At the same time, the company knew it had it upgrade its existing ISO 9002 quality system to the new ISO 9001:2000 and AS 9100 standards before the end of 2003.

Both the environmental and quality projects were started 12 months ago. A multi-disciplined team, which included specialists from both within and outside the company, was set up to assist the Manufacturing and Quality Managers with the task. While Pro Enviro and other specialists concentrated on producing the documentation and manuals required by the environmental and quality systems, the Manufacturing and Quality Managers were able to focus on making improvements to processes and training personnel.

Improvements made include:

Oil leaks and splashes from the older machines were causing slippery floors and additional oily waste. Improving housekeeping and maintenance activities means that there are less oil leakages, machines breakdown less frequently, less hazardous waste (i.e. oily rags and absorbents) is produced, and the shop floor is a cleaner, safer working environment.
Drums and barrels were stored in various locations around the site by operators. A review of substances used by company resulted in the collation of:
- all necessary material safety data sheets,
- all hazardous substances being relocated in bunded stores,
- and the disposal of obsolete substances, which has removed certain hazards and created additional storage space.
The company has increased its recycling activities, including the recycling of oily rags, returning oil drums to suppliers and recycling wooden pallets. Compared to the costs of buying new rags, it is cheaper for the company to collect the oily rags separately and have them cleaned for re-use.
New procedures and training means that everyone in the organisation is aware of their responsibilities for environmental and quality management. The quality and environmental systems are made available to company employees via a password protected, web-based portal. The portal also provides access to online training materials in quality, environmental and safety issues, which can be undertaken in the users spare time and include self-assessment questionnaires. For employees without internet access, hard copies of relevant procedures and training material have been provided at the point of use.

According to Barry Enis, Manufacturing Manager,

"ISO 14001 is good business practice and good for the environment. We are able to demonstrate to employees, customers and other stakeholders that we take environmental issues seriously. Our environmental improvement programme ensures that we continually work at using our resources efficiently and preventing pollution wherever possible.

For further information, please contact Aneeta Patel. If you would like to view AO Henton's online portal, a password can be provided subject to permission from the company.