FLIGHT OF THE CONDAIRE

Describes the reasons for and efforts of a specialty subcontractor to achieve ISO 9001 recognition. The decision process and corporate reorganization required to position the company for the writing of the quality manual are detailed. The tie-in between a Total Quality Management system with employee input and the development of a quality manual that met the requirements of the ISO 9001 standard are discussed and the dovetailing of the two is shown. ISO 9001 is an internationally recognized quality standard consisting of 20 key parts and almost 300 subparts that required answering in the development of the quality manual. Condaire Inc., is primarily a regional mechanical contractor, headquartered in St. Louis, with annual sales volumes in the midteens and a field workforce ranging from 40 to 100 pipefitters, plumbers, and support trades; the firm is 52 years old. Condaireʹs markets are primarily industrial piping, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and plumbing in the automotive, manufacturing, food, electronics and power industries, with municipal water and wastewater treatment varying with availability.