It is very gratifying to report that Borough has successfully completed its annual IATF 16949 surveillance audit with zero non-conformities, which reflects our unwavering commitment to quality excellence and continuous improvement in automotive manufacturing.
For those unfamiliar with this certification, this achievement represents far more than a routine compliance exercise. It demonstrates our dedication to maintaining the highest standards in every aspect of our injection moulding and electroplating operations.
Understanding IATF 16949 certification
IATF 16949 is the global automotive quality management standard that defines the requirements for quality management systems in the automotive industry. Developed by the International Automotive Task Force, it builds upon the foundations of ISO 9001, adding automotive-specific requirements to address the unique challenges of this demanding sector.
This standard goes beyond basic quality management, encompassing everything from defect prevention and supply chain management to customer satisfaction and continuous improvement. It’s specifically designed to address the automotive industry’s needs, including zero-defect manufacturing, lean principles and robust risk management.
The certification isn’t just a badge of honour, but a prerequisite for supplying major automotive manufacturers worldwide. Without IATF 16949 certification, companies simply cannot participate in global automotive supply chains at the tier levels where Borough operates.
What this means for Borough’s clients
Our IATF 16949 certification provides tangible benefits that directly impact our clients’ success. First and foremost, it guarantees that every component we manufacture meets the exacting quality standards demanded by global automotive brands.
Attaining and maintaining these standards has earned us partnerships within the supply chain to provide components for some of the most highly regarded automotive brands, including Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley, Mercedes and Nissan.
The standard requires rigorous process control and statistical process monitoring, which means greater consistency and reliability in every batch of components we produce. Our clients can trust that parts manufactured today will be identical in quality and performance to those produced months from now.
Risk management is another crucial benefit. IATF 16949 requires comprehensive supplier evaluation, contingency planning and proactive problem-solving approaches. This translates to more secure supply chains and fewer disruptions for our clients’ production schedules.
Perhaps most importantly, the standard promotes a culture of continuous improvement. We’re required to actively seek opportunities to enhance our processes, reduce waste and improve efficiency. These benefits ultimately flow through to our clients in the form of better quality, shorter lead times, competitive pricing and sustainability benefits.
Inside the surveillance audit process
The annual surveillance audit represents the culmination of our comprehensive quality approach. Before any external audit takes place, we conduct thorough internal audits of our own processes to ensure we identify and address any potential issues before independent assessors arrive.
The surveillance audit itself is a detailed examination conducted by accredited certification bodies, which in our case is SGS [one of the world’s leading service providers], to verify ongoing compliance with IATF 16949 requirements. These independent auditors scrutinise our documentation, observe live production processes and interview personnel at all organisational levels to verify that our quality management system not only remains robust and effective, but is embedded within our entire production process.
The audit covers every aspect of our integrated operation, from management review processes and internal audit effectiveness to customer complaint handling and corrective actions. Auditors trace components through our complete process chain, from raw material receipt through injection moulding and electroplating to final dispatch to ensure full traceability and process control.
They examine our statistical process control data, review customer satisfaction metrics and assess how we handle non-conforming products. The zero non-conformities result means every aspect of our operation met or exceeded the standard’s requirements, with no deviations, no areas requiring improvement and no corrective actions needed.
Continuous excellence in action
This surveillance audit success isn’t an accident. It reflects Borough’s systematic approach to quality management that has been refined over decades. Our integrated manufacturing model, combining injection moulding and electroplating under one roof, actually makes it easier to maintain the traceability and process control that IATF 16949 demands.
For our clients, this certification and audit success provides confidence that Borough will continue delivering the consistent, high-quality components their brands depend upon. It’s one more reason why global automotive manufacturers trust us with their most visible and demanding applications.
