Enterprise Minnesota Receives grant to help manufacturers meet ISO certification

A collaboration between Enterprise Minnesota, AQS Management Systems, and Stratasys will develop services for preparing manufacturers to meet quality and process standards.

Minneapolis, MN – Enterprise Minnesota today announced it has received a $204,062 grant from the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) to develop and implement quality management services for preparing organizations to meet requirements for ISO certification. Developed by the International Organization of Standards, ISO is a voluntary certification system for quality and processes.

The MJSP grant will drive Enterprise Minnesota’s ability to help Minnesota’s manufacturers become compliant for ISO certification. As the economy rebounds, many manufacturers are realizing that certifying quality in their systems is becoming a market standard for attracting new customers, and even maintaining current relationships.

Certification involves submitting to an audit that verifies process controls and quality standards. At the end of the audit, all verification is submitted to a formal board for review before final certification is issued. In total, the process can take several months.

“Enterprise Minnesota is thrilled to have the opportunity to develop a resource to help the state’s manufacturers prepare for ISO certification,” says Enterprise Minnesota president & CEO Bob Kill. “By improving processes and quality, a company puts itself in position to be ISO compliant and develop best practices for managing its business.”

Through the grant, internationally-recognized quality management system trainers from Minneapolis based AQS Management Systems and Enterprise Minnesota will collaborate on the project and work with Eden Prairie, Minn. based Stratasys. AQS consultants will provide mentorship as Enterprise Minnesota delivers training for 345 Stratasys employees on establishing processes and procedures that will ultimately lead to ISO certification to the standard ISO 9001:2008 and AS9100 aerospace designation.

MJSP grants aim to help Minnesota businesses and schools work together to train the state’s workforce. The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board awards grants to accredited education providers, including Enterprise Minnesota.

Enterprise Minnesota is a non-profit organization that helps Minnesota manufacturing enterprises grow profitably. Chartered by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1987, Enterprise Minnesota is an affiliate of the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).

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