Storm Copper Takes Great Strides in Quality Improvement

January 19, 2010 - Storm Copper Components, a leading manufacturer of copper electrical connectors, became ISO 9001-2008 certified on January 4, 2010. This achievement is the culmination of a yearlong quality improvement process that began with the deployment of stronger management-system policies and procedures at Storm's manufacturing center in eastern Tennessee.

Throughout the International Standardization Organization (ISO) compliance process, Storm determined customer expectations and created an enhanced communications network, covering product information, inquiries, contracts, orders, feedback and complaints. According to Storm Quality Manager, Darren Ricks, "A very complex and expensive process was broken down into a simple, straightforward statement: 'Say what you do, and do what you say.'"

Ricks was the point man throughout Storm's efforts to achieve ISO certification and other quality improvements. He now oversees seven internal auditors who have been trained to make sure that Storm Copper's custom copper parts manufacturing process adheres to a rigid set of formal quality standards and highly structured procedures that cover every aspect of customer interaction from conception and quote to production and shipping.

Worldwide, the ISO 9001-2008 certification is one of the most accepted standards of quality management. An ISO certificate gives customers a sense of confidence in Storm Copper, while it enables Storm to nail down and formalize a solid system of quality improvements.

With the ISO documentation and quality training, Storm's customer service staff has become even more capable at fielding questions on copper ground bars and other electrical connectors. "Their goal is to exceed expectations by making sure that detailed product information, tolerances, specifications and materials are clearly communicated in every quote, as this relates directly to manufacturing parts and connectors on time and with fewer errors," Ricks added.

Storm Copper was recently awarded an Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) grant from the Tennessee Department of Labor to fund quality training in areas of technology, customer service, and continuous improvement areas such as Six Sigma methodology. Key members of Storm's staff will be trained in Geometric Distance & Tolerances (GD&T) and equipped to read detailed blueprints and follow the exact engineering specifications.

Storm has also improved its consistency with Nuclear Audits and its ability to identify and trace sources of raw materials. Whenever a potential customer visits the plant, Storm's quality team members walk them through a hypothetical order process and show every detail of how Storm processes an order, from quote to packaging.

Storm Copper Components is committed to meeting its customer's requirements by providing innovative, cost-effective solutions and by focusing on continual improvement of all our products, processes, and services. For 20 years, the company has specialized in the manufacture of custom electrical connectors for the wireless, telecommunications, power and alternative energy markets, serving OEM's, electrical contractors and system installers.

For more information, or to schedule an interview with co-owner, Dan Kitts or Darren Ricks, please call Dave Krikorian at 423-506-4178 or email dkrikorian@stormcopper.com.