Norco Composites successfully completes first AS9100D surveillance audit

Norco Composites (Poole, Dorset, U.K.) announces that it has successfully completed a three-day surveillance audit in compliance with AS9100D standards at its Winfrith manufacturing facility. This audit took place between May 23 and 25 this year and ensured the business is working at the highest possible standard required for the aviation, space and defense sectors.

AS9100D is a standard that sets requirements for implementing a quality management system (QMS) that improves the quality of products and services and enhances customer satisfaction. According to the company, the AS9100D audit process works in a three-year cycle:

1. Initial/Renewal audit (five days)
2. Surveillance audit 1 (three days)
3. Surveillance audit 2 (three days)

In June 2021, Norco was awarded AS9100D certification following a five-day initial audit and has now successfully completed the second-year surveillance audit 1 with no non-conformities raised against the quality system.

According to the auditor, “The new manufacturing and quality documentation that Norco have introduced since the initial audit last year shows continued improvement and good practice.” Norco says this continuous improvement in quality systems has been driven by its customers’ requirements and implemented by its diligent team at Norco’s Winfrith facility.

“After the first year fully holding AS9100, this audit was very different to the first,” Steve Ross, Winfrith production manager, notes. “More established projects, with more mature developed procedures and documentation. It is a pleasure to work with a team that embrace change so effectively. With further exciting projects in the pipeline, it is exciting to see the company and team develop further.”

Completion of the first AS9100D surveillance audit reportedly reinforces Norco’s capabilities, which will in turn help increase opportunity to attract work from the aviation, space and defense sectors, the company says.