Beyond Compliance: The Quality Backbone of Our Organization

A Quality System That Supports Manufacturing and Business

Having a mature QMS doesn’t just give us a competitive edge in the marketplace; it provides us with a scalable business system model. Our QMS supports how we develop supporting manufacturing plans, complete orders, and meet exacting specifications across our metallic and thermoplastic businesses.

ISO 9001, the foundational manufacturing certification, establishes the baseline requirements for quality management systems. AS9100 builds upon that foundation with aerospace-specific criteria, and ISO 14001, which we anticipate finalizing soon, adds a structured focus on environmental performance and occupational safety.

Together, these standards ensure we’re not just checking boxes. They guide how we think, work, and improve.

Certifications and Compliance That Build Confidence

• ISO 9001 (since 1999): Core QMS standard for consistent manufacturing practices.
• AS9100 (since 2003): Aerospace-specific addendum to ISO 9001, focused on risk mitigation and traceability.
• ISO 14001 (pending final certification): Environmental and safety management.
• ITAR Compliant: Ensures secure handling of defense-related technical data.
• NIST 800-171 Compliant: Meets federal cybersecurity controls for handling controlled unclassified information (CUI).

While ITAR and NIST 800-171 aren’t formal “certifications,” they reflect a level of operational discipline and data protection that’s critical for defense industry programs.

Forms, Instructions, and Daily Execution

Our QMS is lived out daily through the forms, work instructions, and tools our teams use on the floor and in the office. These documents direct a means to meet customer and industry requirements, support employee competency, and ensure alignment with the clauses of each standard.

We also maintain a detailed Quality Policy Manual, which integrates requirements from ISO 9001, AS9100, and ISO 14001, providing high-level guidance on how our work supports each part of the standard.

Built-In Quality: Inspections at Every Stage

To ensure every product meets customer requirements the first time, we have quality checkpoints built into every job:

• First Article Inspections (FAI): A comprehensive verification the first time a job runs, giving customers a complete overview of what we’ve produced.
• First-Piece Inspections: Conducted at the beginning of each value-added process to ensure production set-up compliance.
• Final Inspections: Confirm that the finished product meets all specifications before it ships.

Our travelers (the manufacturing plan developed from planning to control product configuration) detail every step of this process, with work centers identified for the first article, in-process inspection, and final inspection. This layered approach ensures nothing is missed.

Continuous Improvement in Action

Every member of our quality team is encouraged to lead improvement initiatives.

One of those efforts led to the creation of a designated photo booth for documenting nonconformance issues. Previously, inconsistent photos made it difficult to process returns and communicate issues. Now, high-resolution, well-lit images enable better internal decision-making and streamlined customer interactions.

We’ve also revamped our MDI boards, a critical tool for aligning teams on daily metrics, goals, and safety. The new format makes it easier for teams to track progress and focus on what matters most: working safely while maintaining lead times and production quality.

Another major initiative involved a comprehensive overhaul of our on-the-job training (OJT) program, which included the addition of a detailed competency checklist and testing program to ensure that employees are not only trained but also demonstrably proficient.

A System That Grows With Us

We’ve been ISO 9001 certified for over 25 years and AS9100 certified for more than two decades. But these aren’t static achievements. They’re living systems that evolve with our business. As we finalize our ISO 14001 certification and continue to invest in our people, systems, and tools, our QMS will remain the foundation for quality, safety, and reliability in everything we do.

Re:Build Cutting Dynamics Should Be Your Partner for Aerospace Manufacturing

If you’re looking for a manufacturing partner that brings precision, discipline, and a deep understanding of aerospace and defense requirements, we’d welcome the opportunity to work with you. Our quality management system isn’t just about meeting standards. It’s about building trust, delivering on every spec, and helping our customers succeed in the most demanding environments. Contact our team to learn how our certified processes and dedicated team can support your next program.