ISO for Theta Plate

Theta Plate Inc. is a second-generation family-owned plating company specializing in precious metal plating. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, they serve customers from all over the world. To have access to higher margin business, Theta Plate has attained ITAR Registration to open DOD markets.

To further the company's defense qualifications, C. Aaron Velasquez, President of Theta Plate Inc., decided to pursue ISO 9001 Quality System Registration. Mr. Velasquez contacted a third-party contractor to begin preparation for registration. Theta Plate received a package of documents and procedures that were generic. Although Theta Plate would be registered with those documents and procedures, they would have to change how they operate completely. The processes and procedures that had served them for 40 years would have been discarded for another system that did not match their operation.

Mr. Velasquez started to reconsider pursuing ISO registration. After discussing his interest with another plating company, he was referred to New Mexico MEP for ISO training. The training consisted of three days classroom presentation and three days on-site implementation. The intent of the classroom training is to review the standard, the intent of the standard, and how to comply with the standard. The second part of the New Mexico MEP ISO program is having a representative from New Mexico MEP work with the employees on-site to help prepare documentation, processes, and implementation.