SMC Gear

Recent onsite audits by S.G.S. Systems and Services Certifications (SGS) personnel have resulted in the continued certification of Seattle Manufacturing Corporation (SMC) to ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System through December 31, 2009. Meeting the rigorous standards necessary to achieve certification is proof to SMC’s customers of a commitment to the highest product and service quality standards while maintaining the relevance of their products in the constantly evolving world of work-safety and technical rescue.

In order to be an ISO 9001 company SMC’s complete Quality Assurance Program is third party certified and regularly monitored by SGS. Extensive and continuous monitoring of materials and processes are an essential part of any ISO Quality Assurance Program. SMC has gone to great lengths to identify the requirements necessary to consistently produce products of very high quality. Further time and effort is expended to establish, implement, and monitor quality procedures to meet these demands.

ISO 9001:2000 is based on eight quality management principles:

• customer focus
• continual improvement
• leadership
• involvement of people
• process approach
• system approach
• fact-based decision making
• mutually beneficial supplier relationships

Through annual assessment audits performed by SGS, SMC strives to continually use, monitor and improve their management system and processes. This improves the reliability of SMC’s internal operations to meet customer requirements, as well as overall performance and ultimately, product quality and reliability. A complimentary facet of SMC’s Quality Assurance Program is their use of the company web site site to communicate with customers.

SMC is one of a mere handful of manufacturers of mountaineering, work-safety and technical rescue products that are ISO 9001 Certified as well as UL Certified to NFPA standards. While there are some manufacturers that continue to make misleading claims concerning their product’s 'compliance' to the NFPA, SMC’s certification or that of any other manufacturer may be confirmed by using the following link (http://www.michigab.com)

For 40 years SMC’s goal has been to design and then manufacture innovative gear that sets the standard for quality, reliability, and functionality. For more information on SMC and the company's products visit their web site or call toll free at 1-800-426-6251.