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ISO 9001 helps silversmiths improve product reliability, process control and flow ─ whilst maintaining traditional craftsmanship skills

A 181-year-old family-run and owned silversmith is reaping the rewards of ISO 9001 certification. Thomas Fattorini Ltd achieved certification in 1992, and since then has successfully introduced new, modern production processes, helping the company to expand into new markets.

Thomas Fattorini Ltd produces a wide range of products including sporting cups, trophies and insignia for associations, civic authorities and national governments, emblematic jewellery, gold and silverware, ceremonial swords for graduation gifts, and replica and parade swords.

The company also produces the widest variety of plastic name badges in the country, and exports products to national governments and individuals throughout the world.

At the end of 2007, the company achieved the highest possible recognition in the land by being awarded the Royal Warrant.

“ISO 9001 has set a quality level we don’t go below,” says Greg Fattorini, Managing Director. “It ensures we avoid drift and it puts a line in the sand you can’t go behind. We couldn’t maintain the right quality level without it.”

SGS auditor, Nicola Rigelsford, has seen big improvements over the last few years. “ISO 9001 has put the design process into a system. This makes it very clear exactly what a client wants. In turn, this has speeded up the design process – enabling a fast turnaround of proofs and approvals. Also, if the staff need to repeat a process – for example, a replica badge – it is very easy to do.”

At first, Fattorini staff found it difficult to adapt their traditional, creative skills to the demands of the newly documented process of ISO 9001. But the 9001 documentation has turned into an invaluable tool for continuous improvement.

Today, the staff have found the right balance between creativity and process control. Customers who phone in also enjoy the benefits of this documentation, because everyone in the company can refer to the manuals to discuss a customer’s specific product enquiry.

Certification is helping Fattorini gain new business too. “If you want to tender for government business, you must have 9001,” says Greg Fattorini. “It’s just expected. It definitely helps you get the business.”

“It also allows you to plan for the future, for new product development and new markets. ISO engineers out the dead time, and allows us to plan our work with confidence. We can do this because we know we have all the right systems in place, and we are always improving them,” adds Greg Fattorini.

By successfully implementing ISO 9001:2000 organisations enjoy key advantages:

• Well-defined and documented procedures improve the consistency of output.
• Staff are more aware of quality issues.
• Quality is constantly measured.
• Procedures ensure corrective action is taken whenever defects occur.
• Defect rates decrease.
• Defects are caught earlier and corrected at a lower cost.
• Defining procedures identifies obsolete or inefficient current practices.
• Documented procedures are made easier for new employees to follow.
• Organizations retain or increase market share, increasing sales or revenues.

Notes for Editors:

Thomas Fattorini Ltd was founded in 1827 by Antonio Fattorini in Yorkshire. He established retail outlets specialising in jewellery, watches and fancy goods, including barometers. Today the company exports throughout the world from national governments to private individuals, with the same exacting standards they set in the 1800s.

SGS is the global leader and innovator in inspection, verification, testing and certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is recognized as the global benchmark in quality and integrity. With over 50'000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1'000 offices and laboratories around the world.

Further Information:

SGS United Kingdom Ltd
Jonathan Noakes
t: 01276 697655

Thomas Fattorini Ltd
Greg Fattorini
t: 0121 236 1307