September 7, 2007 - Berg Integrated Systems reaches International Standards Certification
(Plummer, Idaho) – Berg Integrated Systems (BIS) has achieved ISO certification by one of the world’s largest quality management system companies, SGS North America.
“This is an important development for Berg Integrated Systems,” Andy Barrett, President of Berg Companies said. “This ISO certification verifies that we have met the stringent quality standards in our business operations—from everything to how the business is managed, to critical document organization, to how our employees understand what their duties are. I am very proud to reach this level of quality, and I applaud the hard work and dedication of our team who has worked tirelessly implementing the requirements we need to meet this certification.”
The certification, under the ISO 9001:2000 standard, comes after a rigorous audit of the business practices and operations at BIS that include such items as inspections of each department, business records, processes, work instructions, and employee interviews to name a few.
“It begins by writing a program that meets the strict requirements of internationally agreed standards of quality for a manufacturing business,” said Dennis Ryan, BIS Quality Assurance Officer. “Then an auditor physically visits the business to review and verify that you have the ability to practice all aspects of your quality program, and that you are implementing the processes. In essence, all aspects of our operations were highly scrutinized.”
SGS North America, the certifying entity for the ISO 9001:2000 standard at BIS, is a member of the SGS Group, the world's largest registration company, represented in more than 130 countries by 210 affiliated companies.
The ISO 9001:2000 standard that BIS has been recommended for is based on eight quality management principles:
1) Customer focus;
2) Leadership;
3) Involvement of people;
4) Process approach;
5) System approach;
6) Continual improvement;
7) Fact-based decision making;
8) Mutually beneficial supplier relationships.
With certification at BIS, the company will enjoy the nationally and internationally recognized reputation of being an ISO certified business, along with regular assessments by the certifying entity that allows for continual monitoring to improve the management systems and processes.
“Ultimately ISO certification enables BIS to demonstrate high levels of quality when we bid for contracts,” said Darren Stuck, BIS General Manager. “It provides a foundation of high quality products and service for our customers, and demonstrates our commitment to continual improvement as we grow.”
Part of the Berg family of companies, BIS was acquired by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe in June 2006. Today BIS’s primary product lines include Expandable Platform Shelter (ESP) systems; Perma Berms; and Air Barrier Doors.
The BIS facilities are located in the heart of the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation, and currently employ approximately 40 full-time personnel.
“I am proud to be a part of BIS as the company grows and evolves,” Coeur d’Alene Tribal Chairman Chief Allan said. “BIS is quickly becoming an important tool for economic revitalization in our community. Through this endeavor we are successfully diversifying our portfolio, stimulating the local economy and providing much-needed employment. BIS is making a difference in the quality-of-life for families on our reservation and in northern Idaho.”
The original Berg enterprise was formed as F.O. Berg in Spokane, Wash., in 1883, as a fabrication business for industrial fabrics, such as canvas. F.O. Berg long-served the agricultural, mining and forest industries as well as the military. Today, the Berg Companies family is one of the top 100, oldest, continuously operating business entities in the state of Washington and includes Berg Manufacturing and Berg Flexible Containment companies, in addition to Berg Integrated Systems.
