MEP images--Dutalier Virginia

Assistance with ISO 9000
Photo by Thomas Radcliffe
Dutalier Virginia is a 40-employee division of the Canadian corporation, Dutalier. The firm is an assemble-to-order and warehousing facility for the company's line of glider rocking chairs. The product is shipped to furniture stores and other retailers. The plant performs all assembly and finishing operations for the product utilizing modern methods of material handling, conveyor systems, semi-automated assembly, and automated sanding operations. After hearing about ISO 9000, the company decided that the system would provide significant benefits and asked the A.L. Philpott Manufacturing Center for assistance. Philpott's specialist helped plant personnel understand the ISO 9000 and provided periodic assistance to keep the plant moving in the right direction. Because of the success of the Virginia activity, corporate headquarters has taken over the effort and is pushing all divisions toward ISO registration. At the Virginia plant, results include a just-in-time computerized inventory ordering and control system, a five percent increase in throughput in the assembly area, a 40 percent decrease in rework, a new supplier evaluation system, reduced inventory levels, and a 15 percent increase in overall productivity.

Assistance with ISO 9000

Photo by Thomas Radcliffe

Dutalier Virginia is a 40-employee division of the Canadian corporation, Dutalier. The firm is an assemble-to-order and warehousing facility for the company's line of glider rocking chairs. The product is shipped to furniture stores and other retailers. The plant performs all assembly and finishing operations for the product utilizing modern methods of material handling, conveyor systems, semi-automated assembly, and automated sanding operations. After hearing about ISO 9000, the company decided that the system would provide significant benefits and asked the A.L. Philpott Manufacturing Center for assistance. Philpott's specialist helped plant personnel understand the ISO 9000 and provided periodic assistance to keep the plant moving in the right direction. Because of the success of the Virginia activity, corporate headquarters has taken over the effort and is pushing all divisions toward ISO registration. At the Virginia plant, results include a just-in-time computerized inventory ordering and control system, a five percent increase in throughput in the assembly area, a 40 percent decrease in rework, a new supplier evaluation system, reduced inventory levels, and a 15 percent increase in overall productivity.