16 Mar 2014

Preference is given to certified organisations for the supply of goods and services in today’s business transactions worldwide, says managing director of Botswana Bureau of Standards.

Speaking at a certification handover ceremony to Impression House, Ms Masego Marobela said BOBS is pleased to be issuing a BOS ISO 9001 quality management system certificate to Impression House.

“It is pleasing to note that Impression House’s vision is to be the printing house of choice by meeting and exceeding customers’ expectations,” she said.

She said the handing over of a certificate is issued in recognition of Impression House’s quality management system, which has been audited by BOBS and found to be in conformity with the requirements of the BOS ISO 9001:2008 standard.

Ms Marobela said the certification process requires commitment, dedication and ownership from the owners and promoters of the business, top management and cascades to all levels in a company.

Impression House has joined over 10 000, 000 organisations in the world with third party certified quality management systems, that have demonstrated commitment to providing services that conform to requirements specified in ISO 9001 standard, which include aspects such as procurement, outsourcing, records management, preventive and corrective actions, she said. She said the certificate awarded to Impression House is testimony that the company executes its business in a consistent manner and proof that the company does not accidentally demonstrate its commitment to quality.

“Please note that your attainment of certification is part of the journey as there is need to sustain the certification and I implore all of you to strive to maintain your certification status,” she concluded

For his part, chairman of Impression House, Mr Ravi Iyer said Impression House has been a leader in terms of printing technology in Botswana, the first and only printing company to offer automated SMS alert services and 24/7 real time online job tracking services.

“We are also the only printing company in Botswana to use process less plates, thus eliminating harmful chemicals and demonstrating our commitment to conserving the environment,” he said.

He indicated that so far they have a staff compliment of 130 and 97 per cent of them are citizens.

Mr Iyer called on decision makers in government and private sector to give due value to all these standards and achievements, indicating that the idea of his company going for BOS ISO 9001:2008 certification was hatched about three years ago.

“The real task of applying to BOBS and the related processes started in November 2012 and exactly one year later by end of November 2013, we were happy to receive the news that our processes and procedures were found to be compliant and ready to be awarded the certificate,” he said. ENDS