Astro-Med Certified to AS9100 Quality Management System for the Aerospace Industry
Astro-Med, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALOT) announced today that it has been certified to AS9100, the quality management system specifically designed for manufacturers of aerospace industry products.
Everett V. Pizzuti, President and COO, stated, “Companies in the aerospace industry are increasingly selecting suppliers on the basis of AS9100 certification. Achieving certified status means that Astro-Med can now bring in new business that may have been outside our reach in the past, and that we will be able to continue to satisfy our existing aerospace customers long into the future.”
Astro-Med’s Ruggedized Products will benefit most directly from the AS9100 certification, according to Pizzuti. Astro-Med Ruggedized airborne printers and ruggedized Ethernet switches are sold to the commercial and military aerospace industry, as well as to non-aerospace customers.
According to the company, AS9100 is more rigorous than the ISO 9001 standard to which many manufacturers certify, with AS9100 incorporating all of the ISO 9001 requirements as well as additional aerospace specific requirements that are used to plan, build, test, and deliver products and services for the aerospace industry.
Commenting on the AS9100 certification, Steven G. Holbrook, Astro-Med’s Manager of Quality Assurance, said, “Our Quality Management System forms the bedrock upon which we stand as a quality-driven manufacturer, and AS9100 certification underscores our firm foundation. The aerospace industry requires very high reliability products, and while AS9100 certification is most relevant to our ruggedized airborne products, we maintain the same discipline throughout our quality process. I am pleased and proud that Astro-Med, Inc. maintains the highest quality management standards for each industry sector we serve.”
In addition to holding AS9100 certification, Astro-Med is an FAA part 145 certified repair station, is certified to ISO 9001:2008 which specifies requirements to provide products that meet applicable customer, statutory, and regulatory requirements within a system of continual improvement, and is also certified to ISO 13485:2003, which specifies requirements for a quality management system that provides medical devices and related services that consistently meet customer requirements and applicable regulatory requirements.
Astro-Med’s AS9100 certification was issued by Intertek, the world’s largest independent testing, inspection, and certification body. According to the Holbrook, Astro-Med, Inc. spent over a year developing new systems and processes to meet the demanding requirements of the AS9100 Quality Management System, and Astro-Med attained one of the highest scores possible after the two stage Intertek audit, which included a full week of on-site review and inspection.
About Astro-Med, Inc.
Astro-Med, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of specialty high tech printing systems, electronic medical instrumentation, and test and measurement instruments. Astro-Med, Inc. products are sold under the brand names Astro-Med(R), Grass(R) Technologies, and QuickLabel(R) Systems, and are employed around the world in a wide range of aerospace, medical, military, industrial, and packaging applications. Astro-Med Inc is a member of the Russell Microcap(R) Index. Additional information is available by visiting www.Astro-MedInc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements, and actual results may vary from those expressed or implied herein. Factors that could affect these results include those mentioned in Astro-Med’s FY2009 annual report and its annual and quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Press Contact:
Everett V. Pizzuti
President, COO
(401) 828-4000
Astro-Med, Inc.
600 East Greenwich Avenue
West Warwick, Rhode Island 02893 USA
SOURCE: Astro-Med, Inc.