Quackenbush registered to ISO 9002 standard

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Sep 03, 1999

HERKIMER-H.M. Quackenbush, Inc. (HMQ), has achieved ISO 9002 registration, indicating that its quality system is now certified to the standards set by the International Organization for Standardization.

First established in 1987, the ISO 9000 series of standard practices has been adopted worldwide as the accepted measure of an organization's quality system. ISO 9002 covers service organizations, including metalfinishing companies such as HMQ. The company's operations were audited in midJuly 1999 by Bureau Veritas Quality International, an ISOapproved registrar with worldwide affiliations.

Ed Ragosta, manager of quality assurance at H.M. Quackenbush, says that the company has been working toward ISO registration for a year and a half, but has been "making a concerted effort for the last six months."

Commenting on the company's achievement, its Chief Operating Officer Bronson Q. Hager said, "Manufacturers worldwide are increasingly looking for ISO-registered suppliers. This places HMQ in a stronger competitive position. Moreover, it will have a positive effect on our ongoing efforts to continuously improve quality and productivity at HMQ."

H.M. Quackenbush is an affiliate of

HMQ Metal Finishing Group, one of New York State's largest commercial metalfinishing and electroplating firms. The fifthgeneration, family-owned and -operated business provides more than 35 metalfinishing processes on 12 production lines for customers across the northeastern U.S. Founded in 1871, H.M. Quackenbush also manufactures component parts for steel nutcrackers sold worldwide under a licensing agreement with another firm.

The company plans to begin construction soon on a state-of-the-art, 52,000-sq.-ft. metalfinishing facility at the Frankfort 5S North Business Park.

HMQ Metal Finishing Group has a total of 119 employees among its three operating units and corporate offices, 75 of whom are employed at H.M. Quackenbush in Herkimer, 23 at HMQ Chemtech LLL in Oriskany, seven at HMQ National Plating LLC in Syracuse, and 14 at the holding company's offices. Frederick H. Hager, chairman and CEO of the group and the greatgreat grandson of founder Henry M. Quackenbush, reveals that the group has annual revenues approaching $10 million.

HMQ Metal Finishing Group is acquiring metal-finishing businesses, primarily in the Northeast. Several further acquisitions are pending.