23 Jan 2003

Coats North America’s thread-manufacturing plant in Choloma, Honduras, was recently awarded a QS9001:2000 quality designation by the Quality Management Institute (QMI).

“This is a major accomplishment,” says Plant Manager Hollman Garcia, “particularly since we have only been in operation for about two years.”

Coats is the first thread-manufacturing plant in Central America to earn this designation; only five other operations in Honduras have qualified.

Coats Honduras joins a select group of companies worldwide that have qualified for this recognition.

ISO9001:2000 is a more stringent version of earlier quality designations; it is more oriented to leadership, continuous improvement, processes, and results. “This designation means we can offer customers the highest manufacturing standards,” says Garcia.

QMI’s four-day audit of the Coats operation assessed capabilities in dyeing, lubrication, winding, and packing or thread. “We are proud of the effort every employee put forth in helping us earn this designation,” says Garcia. “We believe this honor is a platform for our continuous improvement.”

There is a growing awareness of the benefits of ISO certification among Central American manufacturers. Award of the designation is expected to assist Coats in its marketing efforts in the region.