Tag: Quality

Advantek Achieves IATF 16949:2016 Compliancy

Written by , -

IATF Logo

For over 40 years, the industry has acknowledged Advantek as a leader in compliance with global standards for quality, environment regulations, and a business code of conduct. The reputation comes from years of perfecting their processes and staying true to their vision: to be the world’s leading provider of precision component delivery systems. They focus on building long-term customer relationships and meeting their demands as the market changes.

With this in mind, they understood how critically important it was to their automotive-specific customers–and the automotive industry as a whole–to comply with international automotive quality standards, IATF 16949. IATF 16949 is a Quality Management System (QMS) standard designed specifically for direct suppliers.

Achieving IATF 16949 certification has been an ongoing project for Advantek. During this process, they learned how their products and production sites were not eligible for “certification”, as none of their products are directly used or installed into automobiles. This is a key requirement in certification.

[IATF 16949:2016 Clause 1.1 Scope: This Automotive QMS Standard defines the quality management system requirement for the design and development, production and, when relevant, assembly, installation, and services of automotive-related products, including products with embedded software]

Although Advantek was not eligible to be certified, their quality objectives still aligned with the goal of IATF 16949. Specifically, the company develops and operates under a quality management system that provides for continual improvement, emphasizing defect prevention and the reduction of variation and waste.

After passing IATF 16949:2016 QMS standard audits at their global manufacturing locations in the USA, China, Taiwan, and the Philippines, Advantek was awarded IATF 16949:2016 compliancy—an achievement as close to certification as they could qualify for. They received a Certificate of Alignment, acknowledging that their internal quality management system is congruent with that used in the automotive industry.

“Advantek is again leading the carrier tape industry by attaining alignment to IATF, a global quality standard required of suppliers to automotive companies,” says Helen Mangente, Global Quality Assurance Director.

Today, Advantek is proud to announce their procedures and processes are in full compliance with IATF QMS quality requirements. Achieving IATF 16949 compliancy continues to build on Advantek’s commitment to deliver industry-leading quality and Technology Made For You™.

For more information, please contact Helen Mangente.

Four Teams of Experts, One Powerful Goal

Written by , -

Four Teams of Experts, One Powerful Goal

At Advantek, we believe in the power of excellent engineering. Earlier this year, the company established four new engineering teams of experts that strive to implement excellence in a strategic way.  

Advantek manufactures and delivers industry-leading carrier tape for customers across the world. From large mechanical devices to advanced micro-components, the company offers a variety of solutions that promise to carry and protect any device.

In order to produce high-precision tape, the company uses an array of manufacturing processes. Each process excels with its own unique set of capabilities. Yet, all are tailored to produce the most dependable designs and solutions available in the industry.

Recently, the company created and assigned four teams of experts to focus on their manufacturing processes. The goal? To excel in productivity and technology leadership. They work to utilize the company’s engineering resources and capabilities in the most effective way possible.

Four Teams of Experts, One Powerful Goal

These team are called Centers of Excellence (CoE).  Teams of engineers make up each CoE and welcome the challenge and responsibility to advance manufacturing technologies. The teams focus on productivity, quality, and process advancements. Engineers are encouraged to be innovative and forward-thinking in developing new carrier tape solutions.

“The ideas that can result from CoE discussions can never be replaced by any other method”, says Todd Oliverius, Senior Mechanical Engineering Designer. “Working in a team can be inspiring, and fun, which leads to increased productivity and creativity around advancing our manufacturing processes and technologies.”

Together, the CoE’s collaborate to produce the most advanced technologies in the industry. They are responsible for overseeing and managing quality, dimensions, product and process designs, and materials related to each manufacturing process. In this way, every concern or question is always addressed by technology experts. Their efforts output industry-leading process capabilities.

“The CoEs are implementing new operational initiatives aimed at optimizing productivity, driving down costs, and improving quality,” says Tom Skrtic, V.P. of Engineering. “We’ve already seen many improvements implemented with more to follow. The teams are also focused on long-term goals within their area of expertise–adding equipment to the processes to make them more precise and robust. The teams are actively working on multiple ways to improve processes, materials, and technologies now and in the future.”

Advantek Factory