SOULBRAIN MI, INC.: Making IATF Certification a Strategic Priority
We are very appreciative of The Center’s assistance in the preparation for IATF 16949:2016 registration. The experienced staff offered valuable feedback throughout the implementation process to ensure all requirements were addressed. Additionally, The Center’s training courses were key in preparing our internal auditors and technical staff for the requirements of the new standard.
-- Antoinette Hackney, Quality Manager
In 2010, soulbrain MI, Inc. (soulbrainmi.com) was established as the North American headquarters for soulbrain’s lithium-ion research and development and production. For more than 30 years, soulbrain’s parent company in South Korea has developed, manufactured and supplied core materials to the high-tech industry with the overall goal of creating a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly future. As part of this mission, soulbrain MI is committed to delivering the highest quality lithium-ion electrolyte at the best value to the advanced battery market to help accelerate the electrification of vehicles. They employ 28 at their Northville, Mich., facility.
Challenge
A prospective customer was requiring soulbrain MI to obtain their IATF 16949 certification to begin doing business with them. Recognizing the importance of achieving this certification in order to gain new automotive customers, soulbrain MI decided it was time to transition to IATF 16949 in order to grow their business.
Solution
For assistance with integrating the automotive quality standard into their existing Quality Management System (QMS), soulbrain MI turned to the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (The Center). Through The Center’s seven-day IATF 16949 Organizational Implementation training, the soulbrain MI team learned to identify and understand the differences between ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016. The Center’s expert then walked the team through best practices for implementing this new standard, ensuring their transition would be a success.
To provide further support during this transition, various team members attended both Internal Auditor training as well as APQP/PPAP/FMEA, Measurement Systems Analysis and Statistical Process Control Core Tools courses to gain additional skill in maintaining their QMS. Following this training, soulbrain MI was able to successfully earn their IATF 16949 certification, enabling the company to bring in substantial business from both current and prospective automotive clients.
Results
- Increased Sales: 247%
- Jobs Created: 12
- Jobs Retained: 18
- Total Increase in Infrastructure/Equipment Investment: $8M
- Total Increase in Hiring Investment: $675K