IAS December 2021 - Newspaper - Page 11
IAS NEWSLETTER December 2021
IAS Customer Spotlight –
ACT Lab LLC
Q: Aside from regulatory need, why does
your lab need accreditation? In other words,
can you tell us what have you learned and
gained from accreditation?
Q: Can you describe your business to
our audience and your vision to bring
good quality in your daily operations and
processes?
A: We need the support through processes
that IAS is built on. These processes work
to educate our teams globally and inform
and assist me in leading a company with
integrity, professionalism, and dedication.
A: ACT Lab conducts consumer product
safety and compliance testing for an
active world. Our specialties include the
mechanical and chemical testing of bikes
and accessories, helmets, e-mobility
products, children’s products, and additional
sporting goods. Our services also extend
beyond testing with guidance on product
evaluation, research and development,
auditing, and quality control.
Q: What are the more challenging aspects of
maintaining quality and accreditation? How
do IAS assessments help in this regard?
A: The hardest part of maintaining quality
and accreditation is finding the balance
between all the working parts. Day to day
function, innovation, and progression
all effect the quality of your process and
product. This all must happen in tandem
with catering to customer and company
needs, accreditation timing, and the
associated costs.
IAS assessments help by providing a
process and a deadline. This enables
us to maintain a constant focus and the
opportunity to continuously improve. If
we didn’t have that framework, we could
innovate and improve all day and never
get to the final product, but we all have
deadlines and Return on Investment (ROI)
that we are trying to achieve.
ACT Lab LLC, an IAS accredited testing
laboratory located in Long Beach, California
was founded in 2008. Act Lab conducts
consumer product safety and compliance
testing. President and Founder John Bogler
shares his thoughts on accreditation and
business.
Q: Do you recall why you reached out to IAS
to seek accreditation?
A: It is my general business practice to work
with local businesses, so it was a top priority
to find a local accreditation company. After
the interview with IAS, the expertise and
focus on relationship building made it a no
brainer.
Q: As an international businessman, can you
shine light on any ‘best practices’ that you
have learned in implementing accreditation
and quality in various countries?
A: I’ve found that consistency is key. We
make sure all of our labs follow the same
systems, processes, and use the same
equipment.
We have three company values that provide
a framework for everything we do at ACT.
Action, Character, and Teamwork. Action:
we are proactive, not reactive. Character:
We are trustworthy, accurate, and honest.
Teamwork: We prioritize collaboration with
our customers, staff, and global community.
Q: Can you summarize your experience
working with IAS in a few words?
A: At the end of the day, working with a
company like IAS is always better than
working on your own.
Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for
other quality professionals from your
perspective?
A: Never give up quality. Ever. Quality is
intrinsically connected to integrity, and once
that’s gone, there’s no getting it back. There
should be no reason for you to give it up to
achieve your goals.
St. Port Lucie – Proudly Displaying IAS Accreditation
The City of St. Port Lucie, Florida Building Department is a real
leader when it comes to letting customers know about their IAS
Building Department Accreditation. Greg West, IAS Director of
Customer Success Group, was recently in Florida and was excited
to stop in for a visit with Joel Dramis, Building Official of St. Port
Lucie. This article will provide a brief summary of what Greg saw
and experienced in regard to the department’s use of the IAS
Accreditation Mark during his visit at St. Port Lucie, Florida.
The St. Port Lucie Building Department is a great example when it
comes to building safety, customer service, and letting the city know
about their IAS Accreditation. “I have never seen an IAS Accredited
Customer use the accreditation symbol, also known as the mark, in
so many different ways,” said Greg. As you drive into the parking lot,
and before even walking in the front door of the building department,
it becomes obvious that the department is accredited from the large
IAS Mark on the side of the building. As you get out of your car in the
parking lot and walk towards the front door of the building you can
also see the Mark on a drop box where customers can leave their
building plans for the department.
CONSISTENCY
IS THE KEY
Building department staff can also be seen wearing the IAS Mark on
their sleeve or pocket of their shirts. When you meet the staff in the
department or out in community, they will give you their business
card which includes the IAS Mark. Also, the car used by the building
department for inspections in the city has the IAS Mark on the side
and back of the vehicle, along with their department mascot.
There is no doubt that the City of St. Port Lucie Building Department
is using the IAS Accreditation Mark in more places than I saw
during my short visit. IAS Accreditation lets their customers know
that the department or company is setting the standard in building
safety and customer service. A big “Thanks” to Building Official
Joel Dramis for showing Greg around the department. There may be
another article in the future that provides details about some of the
amazing customer service practices that the St. Port Lucie Building
Department provides to customers.
If you are an IAS Accredited Customer and would like to begin using
the IAS Accreditation Mark to promote your accreditation, send an
email to requestamark@iasonline.org.
Upon entering the building, you will see the IAS Mark on multiple
signs in the reception area. Then as you walk down the hallway to
one of the offices or training rooms, the mark can be seen on the IAS
Accreditation Certificate that is hanging on the wall. When you walk
into the conference room the mark is also on the wall.
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