Stewart gains ISO/TS16949 certification
Stewart, the leading UK manufacturer and supplier of technical plastic moulded products for the gardening, home, professional catering, technical and packaging sectors, has gained ISO/TS16949 certification.
ISO/TS16949 certification is awarded to manufacturers with the management and control systems to deliver the right product on time, every time. The standard is an independent warranty to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) that certified holders will pass stringent audits and operate to the highest standard of Total Quality Management (TQM).
ISO/TS16949 allows Stewart to guarantee repeatability in the quality of all the products it manufactures and supplies to customers. Any defects, variations or waste are identified and eliminated at source as part of a process of ongoing improvement.
The accreditation sees Stewart join in an elite group of just 3,000 manufacturers to have achieved the standard, which is recognised by all OEMs including automotive and aerospace organisations across the world.
ISO/TS16949 was developed by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) in cooperation with the International Standards Organisation (ISO). Based on the structure of ISO 9001 and specific requirements of the automotive industries, its aim is to harmonise quality systems across the supply chain.
James Metcalf, Technical Sales Manager at Stewart, said, “ISO/TS16949 forces us to continually improve our processes, increase efficiency and ensure everything we produce is fit for purpose and delivered on time. This certification is great news for everyone at Stewart – and all our customers, too.”
Stewart offers an extensive portfolio of products, from garden planters and propagators to food containers and specialist storage products. Three specialist divisions also work across the aerospace, automotive and medical industries.
ENDS
Stewart - backgrounder
Stewart is the UK market leader in the manufacture and supply of technical plastic moulded products for the gardening, home and professional catering sectors. The company offers an extensive portfolio of products ranging from garden planters and propagators, to food containers and specialist storage products. Three specialist divisions also work across the aerospace, automotive and medical industries.
The company employs 70 permanent staff and 30 seasonal workers at a purpose-built 178,000 sq ft facility in Banbury, Oxon, which opened in September 2012. The factory and distribution centre includes state of the art machinery giving Stewart a world class advantage over its UK competitors.
It enjoyed a turnover of £13 million in 2010.
Stewart is headed by CEO Richard Butler who built his career in the technical plastics and rubber sector and has worked for leading manufacturers in the aerospace and automotive sector.
Originally established in 1945 the company was the subject of a BIMBO (buy-in/ management buyout) in June 2011. ECI, the mid-market private equity specialist, invested £12 million in the company in a deal that valued the business at £17 million.
Stewart Garden produces grow your own products, watering, pots, propagators and garden accessories and sundries. These are available in over 1600 outlets across the UK and Eire including major DIY outlets such as Homebase and Wilkinsons and garden centres across the UK such as Dobbies and Klondyke/Strikes, The Garden Centre Group and some 600 plus independent garden centres.
Stewart Garden plays an active role in the gardening and leisure industry through its membership of:
- GIMA – the Garden Industry Manufacturers Association
- Gardenex – the Federation of Garden and Leisure Manufacturers Limited
- HTA – the Horticultural Trades Association
Stewart won the House Beautiful Best Product Garden Category in 2005 and the Klondyke Dry Goods Supplier Award in 2010. The company was a GIMA Awards - POS Finalist in 2009, and Best of British Finalist in 2011. It’s Heat and Grow Thermostatic Propagator was top in the Which? Gardening Best Buy test on windowsill propagators 2011.
Stewart Home provides food storage and homewares products. These comprise of the Refine, Essentials and Seal Fresh food and drink storage collections, offering hygienic storage in a wide range of colours and shapes.
Stewart Catering supplies the Gastronorm and Seal Fresh food storage ranges to the catering industry and specialist cook shops via wholesale and cash and carry outlets.
Other Stewart divisions are:
Stewart Aerospace
Stewart Automotive
Stewart Medical
Each division of Stewart is BS ISO 9001-2000 and TS16949 accredited and operates from the company’s manufacturing, warehousing and distribution centre in Banbury, Oxon.
For more information visit www.stewartlimited.co.uk
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