Accoat in Kvistgaard is at the forefront with regards to the environment. The company has already been certified in environmental quality standards for the past ten years.
These days, it is not a surprise for products to be certified by quality systems such as ISO 9001. While this situation was different just ten to 15 years ago, today the quality standards are almost taken for granted.
“Despite the above mentioned, there are a lot of our customers both in Denmark and abroad that appreciate and acknowledge that Accoat has been certified in the envirnonmental quality standard ISO 140001. We have had this standard since 1999, which shows that Accoat is at the forefront on environmental matters. Right now everybody talks about the environment, climate and change, but Accoat has been certified within environmental quality standards for over a whole decade. I am sure that this benefits us.” (As said by Jens Lundsgaard, quality manager at Accoat.)
Accoat is a company that develops and manufactures surface solutions (coatings) to a vast range of industries all over the world. Accoat is commonly known for its research into the coatings of the future.
Accoat has been in business for the last 40 years and has around 70 employees. Physically, Accoat covers an area of 9,000m², which consists of offices, production halls and storage buildings. Accoat is located in the industrial Area in Kvistgaard (Northern Zealand of Denmark).
ISO 9001 quality control-certified
Jens Lundsgaard emphasizes that the company would not do without the ISO 9001. He says: “There is none who demands that we have these internationally recognized quality standards but customers and business partners expect it. In regards to the ISO 9001, it also contributes to the high quality standard at Accoat. I would think that we as a company would lose market shares to competitors if Accoat was not certified in the ISO quality system.”
Fewer mistakes, lower costs
“Internally, as a production and development company, we must also note that the ISO 9001 is an advantage due to the fact that our processes are optimized. Everything has been put down and we know exactly what we do. Hereby, we minimize mistakes and if there are any, they are only done once. This means that being certified also keeps a tight rein on expenses,” says Jens Lundsgaard. He continues: “Additionally, continuous quality control is also part of the ISO 9001 standard.”
Continuous improvements
“It is a constant demand that we improve ourselves and what we do. The auditing company regularly renews the quality standard to ensure everything is in place and that Accoat meets the criteria set forth,” adds Jens Lundsgaard.
ISO 14001 quality standard
Accoat has been certified to ISO 14001 since 1999. “This quality standard has the same high demands as the ISO 9001,” says Jens Lundsgaard. “This means that everything has meticulous procedures when handling, for example, iron, metal, raw materials, chemicals, smoke and waste water. The procedures contribute to Accoat having high-quality standards.”
Next generation
While the ISO 9001 has become ‘a grown up, respected gentleman’, the ISO 140001 is the ‘next generation’ of quality standards. This means that the ISO 14001 has become ‘the environmentally conscious son’ that companies all over the world have great interest in. Many companies are now being certified with the ISO 14001 but Accoat has had this quality standard for over a decade.
“At Accoat, we are convinced that the quality standard is a gain. Internally, again, this is an advantage due to the optimization of systems and the meticulous procedures that prescribes the way that we handle everything. Furthermore, seen more externally, the quality standards render Accoat a good image towards the neighbourhood, the customers and the business partners. This is obviously a gain,” concludes Jens Lundsgaard.