AVK has become the first manufacturer in the gas distribution sector to achieve the international standard ISO/TS 29001:2011 for its entire design-to-delivery gas valve manufacturing process. Achieved by its Bryan Donkin Valves production facility, this is the highest safety-based standard a manufacturer can achieve in this sector.
Achieving ISO/TS 29001 has seen AVK conduct a business-wide exercise starting with the design process, procurement and flow analyses at the foundry production stage. It also had to demonstrate how it has eliminated non-conforming products, installed specific preventative activities, imposed a new testing regime for safety factors, reduced variations and waste. It also means that they continuously verify and validate the exercises carried out to achieve the standard.
ISO/TS 29001 requires manufacturers to develop a continuous improvement regime across its entire business, from suppliers through to product delivery.
As part of the global AVK Group, the Bryan Donkin manufacturing facility already held the ISO9001, ISO 14001, PED certificates and GIS Kitemarks for specific products, but wanted to achieve the highest standard recognised within the gas industry as a means of driving quality up throughout its own business and across the sector.