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TRAC Celebrates Tenth Anniversary

First, I would like to thank the 50+ clients that have believed in my company and enabled me to keep the business going strong heading into year 11. A special thanks to the number of customers that have been with me in various capacities since day one; your loyalty is greatly appreciated. I am also proud to announce a 100% certification track record with my clients across the international standards of AS9100/ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, IATF 16949, and MIL-PRF-31032.

The company was founded September 30th, 2013, so while the actual 10-year anniversary was last September I am extending the celebration as there will be a special anniversary offer extended to all of my clients over the past 10 years. Separate emails will be sent out to these clients with details, but a summary of the offer is outlined below.

 

10-year QMS Upgrade

Every year I make changes to my core Quality Management System that improves, simplifies and increases efficiency. The system is also updated based on the constantly changing auditor preferences and interpretations of the standard(s). This will be a one-time QMS upgrade that incorporates all the improvements over the past 10 years and that can be accomplished over a one-month period via onsite and online meetings, including training to the new upgrades. Typical results are a 40-50% reduction in procedures, forms, tasks, etc., with an ROI of only 6-months or less. The number of clients in any given month will be limited to allow appropriate time to each client, but the offer will  be extended as many months as needed to accommodate all that are interested.

Once again, many thanks to my clients in helping to achieve this milestone, and I look forward to the next ten!

Steve

 

Contact me for all your quality needs

Steve@tracQMS.com

920-841-3478

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Brigitflex Achieves AS9100D: 2016

PRESS RELEASE

The Right Approach Consulting

January 7, 2023

Elgin, IL

Brigitflex Achieves AS9100D: 2016. I am proud to announce that client Brigitflex has upgraded their QMS from ISO 9001: 2015 and received certification to AS9100D: 2016 from certifying body TUV Rheinland. Brigitte Lawrence and her management team were highly engaged with the goal of driving organizational improvement during this transition. A special shout-out to Plant Manager Bruce Gunter for his hard work and dedication throughout this project.

President & Founder Brigitte Lawrence stated:

“We have a number of Aerospace contracts in the queue, pending this certification and it was crucial to gain AS9100 certification as quickly as possible. Aside from the certification itself, I was very pleased to see the improvement in all of our business processes given the extreme complexity of our product. I would also like to acknowledge the guidance and facilitation of Steve Williams of TRAC, which was key to our success in this transition”

About Brigitflex

Brigitflex is a woman-owned Mid-West circuit board fabricator, with a focus on specialty materials, multilayer, flexible, and large scale formats designed for the antenna industry. Brigitflex combines old & new technology with specialty equipment and a highly-trained workforce to create a documented process that can be repetitively manufactured. Their extensive experience with multilayer, flexible, and large scale formats allow the conversion of complex design requirements with difficult to handle materials into specialty printed circuit boards.

For more information go to: https://brigitflex.com

Contact TRAC to start your AS9100 journey.

920-841-3478

Steve@tracQMS.com

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Ventec’s USA Facility Receives AS9100-D Quality Certification

I am proud to announce that client Ventec has received AS9100 certification at the Fullerton facility. This is right on the heels of their ISO 9001:2015 certification a year ago and follows Chicago’s ISO certification. The entire staff was intimately engaged in the project and worked extremely hard to achieve this QMS upgrade. A special shout-out to Jacob Mestas, the Quality Rep for Fullerton, for his  hard work and dedication.

About Ventec

Press Release:

FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA, USA, January 25, 2022

Ventec International is pleased to announce that its US facility in Fullerton (CA), is now certified to AS9100 Revision D. The success of the audit by certifying body Intertek, attests to the high standards consistent throughout the Ventec organization. The Group’s locations in Asia, the United Kingdom and Germany are all certified to AS9100-D, giving OEMs and PCB fabricators access to a highly accredited global supply chain for high-reliability laminates and prepregs.

Jack Pattie, General Manager of Ventec’s wholly owned subsidiary Ventec USA LLC, commented, “I would like to thank the entire Ventec team in both the USA and around the world, who work relentlessly to consistently ensure that our operations and systems fulfill the strict requirements of AS9100-D. I would also like to thank Steve Williams, President of TRAC, for helping us achieve this important milestone. We are proud to provide the highest assurance of consistently exceptional service for our customers in aviation, space and defense industries. The certification of our USA facility further strengthens our global network and boosts our value proposition for customers in all sectors.”

Mark Goodwin. COO EMEA & America added, “AS9100-D certification positions us with a strong competitive advantage in the USA and allows us to further expand our business development activities in the mil/aero sectors in the region. The certification of our US-facility complements the accreditations at the company’s sites in Asia and Europe and closes the loop to now offer a fully accredited AS9100 manufacturing and distribution/supply chain capability into all regions around the world. Leading OEMs and PCB manufacturers in the aerospace and defense industries can confidently partner with Ventec with full trust in the company’s ability to meet and exceed the increasingly stringent industry requirements for aerospace, defense and military applications globally.”

Ventec International is a world leader in the production of polyimide & high reliability epoxy laminates and prepregs and specialist provider of thermal management and IMS solutions. Further information about Ventec’s solutions and the company’s wide variety of products is available at www.venteclaminates.com and/or by downloading the Ventec APP.

 

Contact me to begin AS9100 certification for your facility!

920-841-3478

Steve@tracQMS.com

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Everything you wanted to know about AS9100 but were afraid to ask!

The Aerospace parts market has a $900 Billion TAM (total available market) and access to this business largely depends on being AS9100 certified. In my class I leverage my 4 decades of experience to cut through the verbiage, help you understand what is actually required… (& what is NOT) AND offer best practices that will add VALUE to your organization. Watch my Promo Video here and join me in San Diego https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heX6Rn_PsgI&t=5s

Contact me to get AS9100 certified, on time and under budget. Guaranteed!

Steve@tracQMS.com

920-841-3478

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Aurora Circuits Achieves AS9100D: 2016 Certification

PRESS RELEASE

The Right Approach Consulting

January 6, 2022

Aurora, IL

I am proud to announce that client Aurora Circuits has upgraded their QMS from ISO 9001: 2015 and received certification to AS9100D: 2016 from certifying body SGS. Dr. Kalmus and his management team were highly engaged with the goal of driving organizational improvement during this transition. A special shout-out to Brian Zirlin, Alex Scott and Mike Szydlowski for their hard work and dedication throughout this project.

President & Founder Dr. Chris Kalmus stated:

“I am so proud of our Aurora Circuits team. This accomplishment is a true testament to all the hard work everybody has done in the past year. We had several options of which certification to pursue and decided on AS9100, as it is a true process control certification, providing us with a great operations system to guide the company towards continued success and excellence. Earning our AS9100 certification is a great way to end 2021 and, better yet, kick off 2022.”

Click here to watch Dr. Kalmus’ AS9100 video https://auroracircuits.com

About Aurora Circuits

We’ve been making outstanding printed circuit boards in the USA for more than 80 years, so we know a thing or two about making great products. We are problem solvers, creative partners, cost reducers and quality mongers who love nothing more than bringing a new circuit board story to life. Aurora is the world’s leading producer of Ultra Heavy copper boards providing PCBs with over 20 Once copper thicknesses.

For more information go to: www.auroracircuits.com

 

Contact me to start your AS9100 journey.

920-841-3478

Steve@tracQMS.com

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Your QMS can help you understand your customers! (pt 1)

Understanding your customers may seem like a no-brainer, but talking with company leaders across various industries the past seven years demonstrate just how difficult this can be in practice. One of the newest requirements to both ISO 2015 & AS9100 2016 is expanding the whole concept of who is a customer. The traditional definition of a customer is organizations that pay us for our product. The new requirement is to define the “Interested Parties” to the business, and to identify what their needs are.

Interested Parties are defined as any party that has an interest in how your company performs. This includes traditional customers, but also adds parties such as owners/stakeholders, employees, suppliers, banks, and the community. Only parties that have an interest in how your company performs and impact the QMS need be examined, although this should be a very short list. Because, as I preach to my clients, a “B” can be functionally swapped out for the “Q” in QMS as it is actually a Business Management System for the entirety of the organization.

How can this help? Excellent question, because any requirement comes with the expectation that something must be done. A simple analysis at the next management review meeting will suffice, using a tool such as my attached Interested Parties Worksheet. Refreshing this activity then becomes an annual exercise.

Stand by for Part 2, and contact me to help with your Interested Parties analysis

920-841-3478

Steve@tracQMS.com

www.tracQMS.com

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CAMtek receives AS9100D 2016 Certification

PRESS RELEASE

The Right Approach Consulting

January 08, 2020

Bloomington, IL

 

CAMtek receives AS9100D 2016 Certification

I am proud to announce that contract manufacturing client CAMtek has received certification to AS9100D 2016 from registrar TUV Rheinland of North America, achieving a near perfect audit. The company had long been certified to ISO, but a number of customers were anxious for CAMtek to secure AS9100 certification to allow participation in their Aerospace programs. Many thanks to Quality Manager Kim Hayes for her drive and dedication in this effort, and to the entire CAMtek management staff that worked tirelessly in the QMS upgrade.

Christine Davis, President of the woman-owned business, stated: “This process forced us to really step up our game in every aspect of our business. I am pleased with the process improvement we achieved and proud of our workforce for accomplishing this milestone in CAMtek’s growth.”

About CAMtek

In 1999, President, Christine Davis put together a highly talented group of individuals to launch CAMtek, Inc. Soon thereafter, CAMtek became an active player in the electronics industry as an EMS – Electronic Manufacturing Services provider. The CAMtek team includes individuals with electrical engineering, process engineering and quality engineering skills. With over 65 years of combined experience and industry expertise they provide customers with high quality, cost-effective manufacturing solutions that meet their needs in this ever-changing world.

A 2011 Edie Award Winner, CAMtek, Inc. invested $10 million to expand its presence by taking the 225,000 sq. ft. former IRS building on Empire Street in Bloomington and transforming it into its new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Today, CAMtek is thriving through their business ethics and integrity by securing long-term relationships with customers big and small alike. It is their goal to continue this growth and customer satisfaction well into this millennium.

For more information go to: https://www.camtek-mfg.com

Contact me for all of your QMS needs.

Steve@tracQMS.com

920-841-3478

 

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American Standard Circuits Recertified to AS9100D & ISO 9001: 2015

PRESS RELEASE

The Right Approach Consulting

September 19, 2019

West Chicago, IL

Congratulations to client American Standard Circuits, who have received their 3-year recertification to AS9100D & ISO 9001: 2015 from certifying body Intertek. The company continues to realize performance improvements as the QMS matures and evolves to support the rapidly growing company.

CEO Anaya Vardya commented:

“It is critical to maintain our quality certifications for a couple of reasons. First, the customers we serve are some of the most demanding in the business, and our certifications  are mandatory to retain their business. Second, with the complexity of the advanced technology we produce daily, we just can’t afford mistakes and our QMS gives us the structure and discipline to minimize them.”

About American Standard Circuits

American Standard Circuits (ASC) prides itself on being a total solutions provider, manufacturing quality rigid, metal-backed, RF/Microwave, flex, and rigid-flex PCBs for the medical, automotive, industrial, defense, and aerospace markets in volumes from test and prototypes to large production orders. ASC has the expertise to provide a wide variety of technologies in a time-critical environment.  Their qualifications include AS9100 Rev D, ISO 9001:2015, MIL-PRF 31032, MIL-PRF-55110, MIL-PRF-50884 certification and ITAR registration. American Standard also holds many key patents for metal bonding processes. For more information about American Standard Circuits services or to ask one of their technology experts a question, click here.

To download American Standard Circuits eBook, “The Printed Circuit Board Designer’s Guide to Flex and Rigid-Flex Fundamentals” visit their download site here.

To download American Standard Circuits eBook “The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to Fundamentals of RF/Microwave PCBs” visit their download site here.

 

 

 

 

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SlingShot Assembly (formerly BEI Electronics) Receives AS9100D: 2016 Certification in Record Time!

PRESS RELEASE

The Right Approach Consulting

August 5, 2019

Franksville WI

SlingShot Assembly (formerly BEI Electronics) Receives AS9100D: 2016 Certification in Record Time!

I am very proud to announce that client SlingShot Assembly has received certification to AS9100D from certifying body DQS. The company had long been certified to ISO 9001, and through the transition to AS9100D, realized significant process improvements and simplification of the QMS. Quality Engineer Stefan Mundt was the SlingShot point person on the project with constant support and guidance from Quality Manager Rich Lasko, and the entire SlingShot staff put in the effort to get the job done in an expedited timeframe. President Kevin Ryan and General Manager Mark Hoehnen recognized the need for AS9100 and were the support behind the project.

 

About SlingShot

SlingShot Assembly (formerly BEI Electronics) is a high mix, medium volume Electronics Manufacturing Services provider in Franksville, Wisconsin, delivering high quality printed circuit board assemblies, from engineering & manufacturing to final product.

The Franksville WI facility is a subsidiary of SlingShot Assembly in Denver Colorado, a quick-turn EMS provider. SlingShot is committed to building both facilities by serving its partners and employees to position itself as a leading Electronics Manufacturing Services provider.

More information can be found at:

http://www.beielectronics.com

https://slingshotassembly.com

 

Contact TRAC for all of your QMS needs.

Steve@tracQMS.com

920-841-3478

 

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