MINNEAPOLIS, Dec 18, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Donaldson Company Inc. (NYSE:DCI) has achieved ISO/TS 16949:2002 certification for its U.S. engine facilities in Minneapolis from BSI Management Systems, the global leader in management systems registration. Donaldson Company is one of the first manufacturers to receive certification from BSI. ISO/TS 16949:2002 certification is a technical specification that aligns existing automotive quality systems standards within the global automotive industry. The engine market business at Donaldson accounts for approximately 50 percent of the company's $1 billion annual sales.
The ISO/TS 16949 standard, published in March 2002 by the International Automotive Task Force, focuses on continuous improvement to reduce costs in automotive manufacturing. The standard specifies quality system requirements for the design and development, product installation and servicing of automotive-related products. The certification process emphasizes defect prevention and reduction of variation and waste in the supply chain.
ISO/TS 16949 has become the required standard for the Big Three automakers who are awarding new contracts only to suppliers that have achieved this certification.
"The customer focus of ISO/TS 16949 reassures our customers that we maintain our consistency across all customer and market segments served by the Donaldson Company," said Chuck Weygand, quality systems manager, Donaldson Company. "Through continuous customer satisfaction and business performance improvements, we have achieved a new level of understanding and exceeded specific customer expectations."
The new ISO/TS 16949 standard replaces the QS-9000 quality management system standard that will expire shortly; QS-9000 standards will not be updated to include the ISO 9000:2000 revisions. Donaldson earned ISO 9000 and QS-9000 certification in 1995 and 1997, respectively.
Donaldson Company Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is a leading worldwide provider of filtration systems and replacement parts. Founded in 1915, Donaldson is a technology-driven company committed to satisfying customer needs for filtration solutions through innovative research and development. Donaldson serves customers in the industrial and engine markets including dust collection, power generation, specialty filtration, compressed air purification, off-road equipment, industrial compressors, and trucks. More than 8,500 employees contribute to the company's success at 40 manufacturing locations around the world. In fiscal year 2002, Donaldson reported sales of more than $1.1 billion and achieved its 14th consecutive year of double-digit earnings growth. Donaldson is a member of the S&P MidCap 400 Index and Donaldson shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DCI. Additional company information is available at www.donaldson.com.
SOURCE: Donaldson Company Inc.
Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc., Minneapolis
Patty Hoffman, 612-455-1781
E-mail: phoffman@psbpr.com
or
Donaldson Company Inc., Minneapolis
Janice Kovala, 866-484-8329
E-mail: jkovala@mail.donaldson.com