May 1, 2017 - With implementation assistance from the Robert C. Byrd Institute, Cogar Manufacturing of Glen White, West Virginia has earned ISO 9001: 2015 certification, which will open new doors and present diversification opportunities in international markets.

“Diversifying business opportunities that create and sustain good jobs is a key aspect to strengthening our economy,” said Charlotte Weber, RCBI director and CEO. “We’re proud that Cogar Manufacturing has committed to enhance its operations and customer service using the latest revision to the ISO 9001 standard. This quality approach will contribute to today’s new manufacturing – a resurgent industry that continues to drive our economy.”

Cogar manufactures new equipment and rebuilds heavy-duty coal and aggregate crusher equipment, serving domestic and international industries that include coal, salt, gravel, potash and petroleum coke as well as mining and processing plants.

“I would like to commend RCBI for [its] instrumental assistance with developing, implementing, and maintaining our Quality Management system which has led our company to an ISO 9001: 2015 certification,” said Jerod Vipperman, operations manager at Cogar. “For Cogar to develop and maintain a presence in the international market, it was necessary for us to obtain the ISO 9001: 2015 certification. RCBI’s knowledge and preparation tactics proved crucial to our certification process.”

With a downturn in the coal industry, companies are taking advantage of RCBI services that include leading-edge technology, innovative training and implementation of international standards such as ISO to diversify their product lines and continue to supply or enter global markets.

Quality management systems is a growing arena in which RCBI continues to deliver assistance that results not only in keeping the doors open at manufacturing facilities across the state but in maintaining and expanding markets for companies. Standards offer specifications for products, services and systems that facilitate trade among companies in different countries. The ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard is one of the most widely used management tools in the world today, and is recognized for its contribution to help boost company success, profitability and market potential.

The Quality Implementation group at RCBI helps companies develop and implement documented quality systems to ensure customer satisfaction and continual improvement. For more information, contact Erica Cheetham, RCBI’s director of quality services, at echeetham@rcbi.org or 800-469-RCBI (7224).