Assistance for suppliers

Friday, 04 April 2008 14:36

A R6.5 million investment in developing quality management systems for small and medium enterprises in the automotive industry was announced late last year by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The programme aims to enable the smaller suppliers to the industry to comply with stringent international market requirements and challenging quality accreditation audits.

“The investment is made by the Enterprise and Industry Development Division of the DTI (EIDD). “It will be used in a sustainable, three-year support programme at the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC),” said Andre van Wijk, Supplier Development Manager of the AIDC.

Andre is the new manager of the Supplier Development Department, taking over from Fayaaz Sacoor who now heads up Business Development.

Assistance ranges from the development of Quality Management Systems (QMS) policies and procedures to training and internal audits leading up to ISO 9001:2000 or ISO/TS 16949:2002 certification. “A total of 30 small and medium enterprises (SME) will participate in the 3-year programme,” says van Wijk.

First- and second-tier companies not yet accredited face a challenge in adhering to ISO 9001 as a minimum requirement and then additionally have to comply with the ISO/TS 16949 standard within 18 months. Frequently, companies fail their initial external audit due to lack of preparation and compliance with elements of the system.

The AIDC received the funding from the DTI to assist companies nationally within the automotive industry in preparing for accreditation.

Established as an organisation to fast-track economic development in the automotive industry, the AIDC specialises in assisting companies to become globally competitive. It has three focus areas, namely Skills Development and Training, Supplier Development and Supply Chain Development.
The QMS programme forms part of its focus on Supplier Development. Assistance ranges from the development of QMS policies and procedures to training and internal audits leading up to final certification.

Where companies require ISO 9000 implementation, a company-specific approach can be developed.
The DTI funding will be used to partially subsidise the implementation of ISO/TS 16949 up to accreditation, after which the AIDC will assist companies in applying for the final external audit and accreditation by SABS or other similar bodies.

Based on a defined set of selection criteria, the AIDC will select ten qualifying companies per year from August 2007.

The AIDC is in the process of setting up the first workshop with potential participants who qualify for assistance.

For further information please contact Dirk Crouse at 012 564 5253 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

ABOUT THE AIDC
The Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) has been established to assist in increasing the global competitiveness of the South African automotive industry to world-class levels.
The AIDC works in partnership with business, government departments and other organisations to invigorate economic development within the automotive industry.
Its focus areas are Skills Development and Training, Supplier Development and Supply Chain Development.

For further information: www.aidc.co.za