OI California Containers, Inc. Achieves ISO-9002 Registrationat All Locations
For Immediate Release
OI California Containers, Inc., the largest manufacturer of glass containers in California, announced that its quality management system has been registered as compliant with the ISO-9002 International Standard.
The latest facilities completing the ISO audit process were the glass container plants in Hayward and Oakland, Calif. Both facilities are major suppliers of glass containers to the wine industry. They join the Tracy and Vernon, Calif. plants, which attained registration status in 1999.
The International Organization of Standards (ISO) is a worldwide nongovernmental, voluntary federation of countries that organizes uniform industrial and technical standards to foster international commerce. OI California Containers, Inc. chose the ISO-9002 standard as the model to implement an organizational structure comprised of standard procedures, processes and resources needed for its product and services.
"This program is a powerful tool by which to build customers' confidence in our product supply," said L. Richard Crawford, chairman and chief executive officer of OI California Containers. "The markets we serve have both domestic and worldwide strategies, and as we fit into our customers' portfolios, we want to provide value to their products. By applying consistent quality standards across our production facilities, we are confident we will do that in a true win-win outcome -- both for our customers and ourselves."
This achievement was a direct result of the entire organization working together to develop and maintain an effective quality system in order to achieve registered status. The ability to meet ever growing customer demand for the highest level of quality is vital to the future success of companies in any business. OI California Containers has demonstrated its commitment to quality and to the continuous improvement of its management system by successfully achieving registration.
"Our employees have provided tremendous support toward making this a program a reality and they deserve a great deal of credit. We believe that this program will provide security for the future of our operations for years to come."
Bureau Veritas Quality International (BVQI) was chosen as the company's partner in this process. BVQI has registered over 15,000 companies around the world and stresses the need for continuous improvement as well as their commitment to adding value throughout the process.
OI California Containers is the largest manufacturer and recycler of glass containers in California. Over the past five years, the company has invested more than $100 million in capital expenditures at its California facilities, including installation of the largest wine bottle manufacturing machine in the United States.
With a presence in California of more than 60 years and a customer base that includes many of the world's leading companies and best known brands, OI California Containers is the state's leading producer of quality glass packaging for food, juice, beer, wine and other products.
The company works closely with other California businesses to support a positive environment for economic growth. This participation includes membership in the Wine Institute (associate member), the Napa Valley Wine Auction (sponsor), the Sonoma State University Wine Business Program (associate supporting member), the Bay Area League of Industrial Association, the California Manufacturing and Technology Association (CMTA), the California International Relations Foundation, the Grocery Manufacturers of America, Keep California Beautiful and the Glass Packaging Institute.
OI California Containers is an affiliate of Owens-Illinois, Inc., the largest manufacturer of glass containers in the United States, North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and China, and one of the largest in Europe. Based in Toledo, Ohio, Owens-Illinois also is a worldwide manufacturer of plastics packaging with operations in North America, South America, Australia, Europe, and Asia.