A structured quality system ensures traceability, compliance, and customer confidence.
Many foundries operate with informal, undocumented quality practices that rely on individual expertise rather than repeatable systems. When a key person leaves, quality deteriorates. When a customer requests an audit, the foundry scrambles. Steel Support 24 helps foundries build robust quality management systems that work independently of any single individual.
We implement quality systems aligned with ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management Systems) and sector-specific standards including IATF 16949 for automotive suppliers. The implementation roadmap covers gap analysis against current practices, process documentation (quality manual, SOPs, work instructions, control plans), and establishment of measurement system analysis (MSA) and statistical process control (SPC) practices.
Core deliverables include a complete Quality Control Plan covering incoming raw materials, in-process checks (sand properties, melt temperature, pour weight), final inspection criteria, and dimensional and mechanical test requirements. We define acceptance/rejection criteria for each operation and establish traceability from heat number to finished casting.
We prepare internal auditors through structured training and conduct mock audits simulating certification body assessments. Customer-specific quality requirements (PPAP, APQP, 8D reporting) are built into the system for foundries serving automotive OEMs.
Applicable to iron, steel, and aluminium foundries seeking ISO 9001 certification, automotive supplier qualification, or export market approval for USA, EU, and GCC customers.
For a foundry with 50–200 employees and no existing formal documentation, full ISO 9001:2015 implementation typically takes 4–6 months. This includes gap analysis, documentation development, employee training, internal audits, and readiness for the certification body's Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits.
Yes. For foundries supplying automotive OEMs, we implement quality systems aligned with IATF 16949 requirements including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and control plan documentation. We also assist with customer-specific requirements (CSRs) from major OEMs.
ISO certification confirms a system exists, not that it is effective. We conduct a quality system effectiveness audit to identify gaps between documented procedures and actual shop floor practice. We then strengthen corrective action processes, improve inspection frequency at critical operations, and implement SPC at high-rejection process steps.
