Primo certified to deliver to the automotive industry

From the outside, nothing much seems to have changed at Primo's plant in Limmared, Sweden. But for clients in the automotive industry, Limmared is a new hot spot on the map of suppliers.

That’s because production at Limmared now follows IATF 16949 quality management standards.

IATF 16949 is based on the more well-known ISO 9001. It has been designed especially for the auto industry suppliers.  

Limmared production will now be audited annually. A complete re-certification audit will happen every third year.

Documenting the entire supply chain

Third-party accreditation bodies perform the audits to secure consistency. Limmared will use Lloyds. The standard helps the automotive industry to control and improve its supply chain. Particular focus is on:

• Process efficiency & effectiveness
• Customer satisfaction
• Continual improvement
• Preventive and corrective actions
• Reduction of variation and waste in the supply chain

Having a strict management system implemented across the entire range of suppliers allow automakers to have a complete overview of various important factors.

Showing the world our processes

Certification is all about building trust and sharing quality control data. Jim Nilsson is managing director of Primo Sweden. He says that qualifying for the IATF 16949 is a part of a long-term relationship with the auto industry:

“The certification is a strategic direction we have taken to display and support Primo's long-term dedication to the automotive industry. The process to get there has led to numerous improvements that benefit all forms of products and all customers.”

An addition to ISO 9001

IATF 16949:2016 is fully aligned with the structure and requirements of ISO 9001:2015. IATF 16949 cannot be implemented on its own. It must be implemented as a supplement and in conjunction with ISO 9001. You could say that ISO 9001 defines the base requirements of a quality management system. IATF 16949 establishes the industry-specific requirements from the automotive industry to such a system.

Primo's reputation will improve, and business opportunities will arise because of the certification. Procurement specifications often need certification as a condition to supply.

About IATF 16949

IATF 16949 is the automotive industry's most widely used international standard for quality management. The certificate must be confirmed annually (as a minimum) by an IATF certified auditor (3rd Party Auditor) of an IATF-recognized certification body. Re-certification is required at the expiry of the three years. IATF 16949 emphasizes developing a process-oriented quality management system that provides for continual improvement, defect prevention, and reduction of variation and waste in the supply chain. The goal is to meet customer requirements efficiently and effectively. The standard was initially created in 1999 to harmonize different assessment and certification schemes worldwide in the supply chain for the automotive sector.

International Automotive Task Force (IATF)

The International Automotive Task Force (IATF) is a group of automotive manufacturers which aims at providing improved quality products to automotive customers worldwide. Their primary task is to agree on a consensus for quality systems and ensure a broad group of third-party certifiers to ensure consistency worldwide.

There are more than 20 members of IAFT, among them many of the world's largest automotive manufacturers, such as BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Company, MARUTI SUZUKI, Renault, and Volkswagen AG.

Why not join our webinar on Wednesday 14 September at 14:00 CEST? Our transport industry expert will be talking all about our new DIY trailer and truck door seals concept.

Can’t make the 14th? Maybe you’re attending IAA Transportation 2022 in Hanover? Come along to our stand where we’ll be giving a live demonstration of our DIY trailer and truck door seals concept.