CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- November 19 marked a significant date in the business history of the Naval Aviation Depot (NADEP). On that date, ABS Quality Evaluations Inc. of Houston, Texas, awarded the coveted International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9002 Registration to the depot which made NADEP Cherry Point the first full Department of Defense industrial facility to achieve this distinction.

"This registration represents nearly two years of effort by depot employees, during which the business operations were redefined, documented, implemented and then reviewed to ensure that the processes, as defined, were operating," said Dr. Bruce Laviolette, NADEP Director of ISO 9002 implementation. "The significance of this registration is in the world-class status that the depot attains, giving the depot a step up on its competitors, private and government alike. Most importantly, it will result in additional workload and a more stable economic future for depot employees and the community,"

"With this certification," said ABS Group President Christopher J. Wiernicki, "you have shown that a Department of Defense organization and a U.S. Navy command can build, implement and effectively operate a management system that is on par with the best of those found in the international commercial marketplace."

"This is a phenomenal accomplishment," said NADEP Commanding Officer Col. Robert N. Leavitt. "Through the dedicated efforts of our entire workforce, we have achieved a level of quality and performance most of the aerospace industry seeks. ISO 9000 ensures we control our processes, which control the outcome and subsequently the cost and lead time to the customer. As much as this is about our internal improvement, it is more about providing 'Service to the Fleet.'

"Registration moves us toward the highest quality product when the customer needs it at a cost the country can afford," the colonel continued. "We have raised the bar for our competition and with our customer. Our customers can be assured we are serious in our commitment to providing the products and services they need to do their mission. Satisfied customers mean we will be the 'Preferred Source,' which means a more stable business environment for our workforce."

ABS Lead Auditor James Brown noted, "The Naval Aviation Depot is a world-class business that has demonstrated its commitment to customer satisfaction and has become recognized as one of the leaders of ISO 9000 in the federal government. The observed and documented improvements that have occurred in the last year are phenomenal.

"The workforce appears to have demonstrated its desire to ensure the customer receives the highest quality product through adherence to the specifications and technical directives combined with high quality workmanship. The depot is making history by becoming the first comprehensive industrial facility that I am aware of to become fully ISO 9002 registered in the Department of Defense."

According to Dr. Laviolette, the significance of this event to the depot cannot be overstated.

"The ISO 9002 registration rings in a new era in our business history and is a much sought after qualification in private industry. ISO 9002 is a standard that requires extensive review of all facets of our business," he said. "We had to say what we do, and then do what we say. The implementation has been a three-phase effort, which began with the registration of the Naval Engine Airfoil Center in 1997, then moved to registration of numerous other depot organizations during 1998 and this year, and finally the registration of the depot as one unit. This registration also includes the Naval Air Systems Command competencies that provide support to the depot locally.

"Although the depot has been committed to providing customers the highest quality products and services, the ISO 9002 business system requires significant improvements in the way that we do business and positive control over all of our processes. While ISO 9002 is not a management system implemented to save money, most organizations become a far more effective operation, and the NADEP has been no exception. The real benefits of implementation will be realized in the future resulting in improved product and service quality, more competitive prices, higher customer loyalty and additional workload. We are now dedicated to continual improvement," Laviolette added.

The ISO 9002 registration, which has been awarded to the depot, is accredited in the United States by the American National Standards Institute, Registration Accreditation Board (RAB) and in the Netherlands by the Dutch Council for Registration (RVA). These accreditations ensure that the depot registration is recognized in all of the countries in which the depot has contracts and may in the future desire to accomplish work. Worldwide there are nearly 300,000 registered companies, while in the United States there are approximately 25,000 registered companies.

ABS Quality Evaluations is an affiliate of the American Bureau of Shipping, which for almost 140 years has been recognized as a leader in setting and administering standards in the marine and offshore industries. ABS Quality Evaluations has provided private sector, third-party quality certification for more than 5,500 facilities in various industries.

The NADEP is one of three aviation repair facilities operated by the U.S. Navy under the Naval Air Systems Command. For nearly 60 years, the Cherry Point facility has proudly served the United States Armed Forces, providing aviation maintenance, engineering and logistics support. The facility is North Carolina’s largest single-sited industrial employer east of Interstate-95. It employs approximately 3,600 people, and its annual payroll exceeds $200 million.