EL SEGUNDO, Calif., June 11, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Integrated Systems sector has achieved a single AS9100/ISO 9001 certification across 10 of its operating sites, signifying that its sectorwide quality management system meets stringent international standards.
The sector received a certification covering its headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., as well as locations in Bethpage, N.Y.; Melbourne, Fla.; Moss Point, Miss.; New Town, N.D.; Palmdale, Calif.; Rancho Bernardo, Calif.; Warner Robins, Ga.; St. Augustine, Fla., and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The sites had been previously recognized under three separate regional quality certifications.
"This recognition is an endorsement of our pledge to practice continual improvement in the quest for ultimate customer satisfaction," said Gary W. Ervin, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems. "It underscores our commitment to infuse a process-based, quality-focused culture and establish quality as a core competency in all our businesses."
The AS and ISO standards define internationally recognized quality management systems. Northrop Grumman received the certification after a third-party audit by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance (LRQA), a quality management systems registrar. Auditors visited the El Segundo, Bethpage, New Town, Rancho Bernardo and Warner Robins sites in May 2008 to gather representative data. The audit score of 990, or 99 percent, reflected the finding of a single minor nonconformity.
To be certified, a company element must implement a quality management system encompassing the enterprise's activities, including management responsibility; resource management; product realization, and measurement, analysis and improvement.
"The audit validated that we successfully evolved our quality management system to one managed at the sector level," said Chris Cool, vice president of Quality Systems and Safety for Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems. "Integrating this system with our focus on enterprise quality and process is important, because it allows us to more effectively execute a Quality policy that strives to satisfy our internal and external customers."
In LRQA's final report, lead auditor Michael Harder stated, "At each site, evidence was found of a robust approach to quality requirements, customer satisfaction and continual improvement. Employees interviewed expressed personal ownership and support for the quality objectives of the company."
The audit also verified the company's commitment to eight quality management principles: customer focus, leadership, involvement of people, process approach, system approach to management, continuous improvement, factual approach to decision-making and mutually beneficial supplier relationships.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.