Tobyhanna Army Depot just joined an elite group of public and government organizations that have earned certification in internationally recognized standards for quality.
TYAD is the first military installation and only the third organization of any type in the world, to achieve certification to both Aerospace Standard (AS) 9100 Revision C and AS9110 Revision A, said Larry Bulanda, Quality Management Division, QMD, chief.
The AS9100/9110 certification signifies the depot's commitment to meet or exceed increasingly stringent industry requirements as a world-class supplier of defense systems and related products to civil and military markets, according to QMD officials. The division is part of the Productivity Improvement and Innovation Directorate.
"Companies and other private and government public organizations here and abroad require AS certification before they will consider doing business with another organization," said Bulanda.
The depot was audited by AS officials in July. Rimas Bildusas, a senior quality assurance specialist in QMD, said the four auditors pointed out several strengths, including the depot's experience and expertise in core products.
"They noted our workforce is very knowledgeable and skilled in many areas to accomplish customer requirements, and depot personnel are committed to a professional work environment," said Bildusas. "Not only are the work areas organized and refined by Lean events and 6S audits, but continual improvement to enhance operations was evident from on-going upgrades."
Although the auditors were impressed with depot personnel and operational efficiency, some improvements were made to earn certification.
"During the preparation period, there were a lot of questions on requirements and processes that did not have established answers; there were many mid-process changes as they became available," said Paul Sumski, Multipurpose Cable Fabrication Branch, Systems Fabrication and Support Directorate. "Everyone worked hard to help achieve certification."
Bulanda said there are three standout accomplishments.
"Tool control is one. We worked with personnel in the Tool Crib Operations Branch to build hundreds of Process Tool Boxes that were placed in AS shops," he explained. "This gives the technicians in those shops improved tool control, helping to eliminate potential foreign object damage, FOD, from loose tools."
Another important accomplishment was the development of the FOD program. FOD is basically loose equipment or other objects that may damage equipment if not stored or disposed of correctly. QMD personnel in conjunction with Information Management personnel developed a voice over slide show and hands on training to identify and eliminate FOD problem areas.
American Federation of Government Employees, AFGE, Local 1647 assisted with the implementation of depot Regulation 702-23 Foreign Object Debris and Foreign Object Damage Prevention, Control, Awareness Program and Tool Control, which governs the program.
The third standout is the development and implementation of the Qualified Task Listing, or QTL, Form ELTY-6251, a document that meets the AS requirement to have a record of an employee's qualifications to perform assigned tasks.
"Obtaining AS certification is a big accomplishment by the total depot team," said Brad Jones, director of Productivity Improvement and Innovation. "Almost every part of the depot had a hand in the success. It shows that the quality of work performed by the depot workforce meets very rigorous industry expectations."
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