Lemont Manufacturer Recognized for Outstanding Quality
This year was different. This year companies had a choice. They could either take the usual refresher training for ISO certification or prepare for the new 9001:2008 version. The Oxbow Midwest Calcining company chose the more challenging ISO 2008 version.
Matt Mirro stands outside the Oxbow Midwest Calcining plant in Lemont, Illinois. Mirrow is the ISO and shift supervisor responsible for helping Oxbow achieve ISO 9001:2008 certification.
Matt Mirro is the ISO and Shift Supervisor for Oxbow Midwest Calcining, LLC. It is his job to keep the Oxbow company certified and performing at its best. He called Joliet Junior College (JJC) to handle the training. "They have very pleasant knowledgeable instructors, flexible schedules, and an excellent administrative staff that helps drive us towards our training goals," said Mirro. "We have been using JJC as one of our main training resources since 2006."
Training small groups of about 10 employees at a time, Oxbow was able to train 69 employees for the June 2010 deadline. The instructor, Randy Hulina began the training in January and trained the entire facility. "Randy is well versed in the new version of the standard," said Mirro, "and can teach it in a way to keep everyone in the course engaged in the training."
JJC has a long history of training companies for ISO certification. Other companies include Five Star Manufacturing, Hoffman Transportation, and ITW. "Both large and small organizations come to Joliet Junior College for ISO training because our reputation is great," said Amy Murphy, director of Corporate and Community Services for JJC. "Instructors such as Randy Hulina have done an excellent job preparing businesses to meet ISO requirements."
Rich Shelhamer is the national sales manager for Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc. In a letter to Mirro dated March 4, 2010, he wrote about the outstanding performance Mirro and Oxbow Midwest Calcining have achieved since they were awarded the 9001:2000 certification. Shelhamer's letter announced the presentation of special recognition for excellent work.
"It is with great pleasure," writes Shelhamer, "that Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc. present Oxbow Midwest Calcining, LLC with this Recognition Award for ISO 9001:2000 certification. Your Quality Management System is outstanding. In your auditors region, both nationally and internationally, has made it into the top three to be recognized for this award."
Additionally, Shelhamer recognized the efforts of Mirro for his "dedication to the Quality Management System at Oxbow Midwest Calcining, LLC." He credited Mirro's management of the ISO program for achieving significant changes in the company's performance which became obvious during the recertification and surveillance audits for the 9001:2008 certification process.
"Besides being an excellent quality and ISO manager, he is also an excellent teacher for Joliet Junior College," said Murphy. He teaches in our petrochemical operator program.
For more information about ISO training or other quality programs at Joliet Junior College, call Amy Murphy at (815) 280-1418. You can also e-mail amurphy@jjc.edu.