University News Last updated 06 July 2009
A fledgling engineering firm has secured jobs and gained international accreditation after partnering up with Birmingham City University.
Rowley Regis firm, Cube Precision Engineering specialises in the manufacture of jigs and fixtures, operates in the aerospace, automotive and white goods industries and provides services to the heritage, restoration and arts world. The company, which achieved limited status in March 2009, gained ISO 9001 - 2000 in just two months; normally it takes 6-18 months. The university's experts from its faculty of Technology, Innovation and Development steered Cube though the process of obtaining the accreditation. As a result of gaining the ISO the company now gains orders of approximately £50,000 per month and has secured the jobs of its 10 employees.
The accreditation, ISO 9001 - 2000, is an international standard for Quality Management Systems and was given to Cube for its work formulating, designing and developing a series of business process diagrams and procedures which supported its strategic objectives. The collaboration between the university and Cube was funded by the Manufacturing Advisory Service.
Neil Clifton from Cube Precision Engineering said: "To achieve successful accreditation in ISO9001 only two months after we started the process shows the dedication and determination of the team at Cube Precision Engineering and Birmingham City University. Cube Precision can now expect an increase in revenue directly due to the accreditation. Specialising in Press tools, CNC Machining and jigs and fixtures, many of our customers are Prime/ OEM and Tier One suppliers to Rail, Aerospace and Automotive industries, with ISO9001 we have been able to prove our commitment to quality processes across the organisation."
Robert Portman Senior Business Solutions Analyst at the university's School of Engineering, Design, Manufacturing Systems which is in the Faculty of Technology, Innovation and Development said: "This clearly demonstrates the university as an exemplar in terms of business engagement/knowledge transfer and continue to meet customers expectations in a commercial environment whilst adding value to the regions economy.