OI California Containers, Inc. Achieves ISO-9002
Registration at 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.