Paramount Die Corporation has provided expert die cutting and die construction services to the northwest Pennsylvania area for over 50 years. They die cut any non-metallic material, build custom steel rule dies, construct prototype parts, and pad-print any object from golf balls to pens. The company has experienced a steady growth rate over the past 17 years. In 1999, Paramount constructed and moved to a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Edinboro, Pa.
Paramount was experiencing an increase in quality assurance audits from existing customers and potential customers, and were losing opportunities due to not being ISO certified. Additionally, they lacked the internal resources and experience to implement an ISO quality management system (QMS). The company viewed ISO as a means of “self-improvement”, a sales tool for new business, and necessary to retain sales of existing product. The Northwest Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC) vetted and helped select a service provider to conduct an assessment of their current QMS and develop a gap analysis against the ISO9001:2015 standard. In addition, the provider assisted with developing an implementation plan with timeline to become compliant, identifying required QMS documentation, and conducting an internal audit of the plan with required revisions.
Vie Associates worked with Paramount staff to develop all systems and procedures necessary to meet requirements of ISO9001:2015 certification. The company was audited in April 2017 with excellent results which the client credits to the assistance of the consultant. Their official certification was announced in July 2017. Anticipated results of having certification include $100K in increased sales, $50K in cost savings, increased investment of $10K in products/processes, $25K in plant/equipment, $10K in cost avoidance, as well as 2 jobs created and 6 jobs retained.
“Everyone at NWIRC, and specifically the Strategic Business Advisor Ed Barthelmes, were great to work with and we simply could not have achieved our ISO certification without their help,” said Chris Flynn, President of Paramount Die. “Ed worked with us from day one, continued to follow our progress throughout our quest in becoming ISO certification, and I cannot even begin to say enough good things about his hands on approach and follow-through.”