Quality Assurance has been, is, and will continue to be a top priority for Pentaflex Inc. One way we continue to review and improve our Quality Assurance is by staying current with certificates like the AD2000 Merkblatt. We sat down with Pentaflex’s Director of Quality Assurance, Glenn James, to learn more about the AD2000 Merkblatt and what that means for the Pentaflex team and the products we create.
P: Can you please share more about the AD2000 HP0 Certificate and its importance in your industry?
GJ: The AD2000 Merkblatt was developed for pressure vessel design and manufacture. The certification includes assessment of technical documents, test reports, testing procedures, checking the reliability of working procedures, and appraisal of materials used. For the Pentaflex team, this is very important as the certification ensures our quality management system remains robust for any AD2000 industry. This includes, but is not limited to, the medical industry that Pentaflex Inc. serves.
P: What does the audit process entail for Pentaflex?
GJ: For us at Pentaflex, our AD2000 achievement relies on the continued success of our internal audit program which takes into account the complexity and significance of each process, prioritizing based on:
- past performance,
- risk, and
- levels of performance.
These audits encompass our quality management system (QMS), each manufacturing process (LPA), and product audits. From these audits, we strengthen our quality through the success of our corrective action system and following the principles of problem-solving.
P: What checks or measures do you have in place to ensure you will pass your audit when it comes up?
GJ: A successful audit is not about scrambling at the last minute, but rather sustainability. We take pride in knowing our robust quality management system is successful 365 days a year and does not take a day off regardless of what situation is presented. From this principle, we can assure sustainability!
P: What are ways Pentaflex is continuing to review and improve your processes to ensure quality?
GJ: At Pentaflex we like to implement creative ideas to ensure our quality is forever developing. The quality of a product is entirely about satisfying the customer’s expectations about the product. We achieve this by defining our quality standards from the customers perspective by giving the customer full buy-in during the entire production process, by standardizing the work and creating a response plan, making sure we have the latest in machinery, improving traceability, and maintaining a culture that defines quality as a top priority.
Another way we continue to review and improve our processes is by obtaining certifications like the AD2000 to present a higher level of proven quality to our customers. Pentaflex is proud to say we have held our AD2000 since 2012.
P: What does this certification convey to your customers about Pentaflex?
GJ: This certification assures our customers that Pentaflex has met and/or exceeded the guidelines for meeting the safety requirements of pressure equipment manufacturer directives.
Our mission statement: “OUR MISSION IS to meet or exceed the requirements of our customers, employees, suppliers, and community through continuous improvement.” It is through this statement, our AD2000 success is defined.
To learn more about Quality Assurance at Pentaflex, visit our website.