Lunch & Learn: ISO 101: Understanding Certification and Its Business Value
Is ISO Certification Right for Your Organization?
Many manufacturers hear customers ask about ISO certification but aren’t always sure what it means, what’s involved, or whether it’s worth the investment.
This introductory Lunch & Learn is designed for organizations that are new to ISO standards and want a clear understanding of the certification process. Participants will learn the fundamentals of ISO 9001, the most widely recognized Quality Management System (QMS) standard, and explore how certification can improve consistency, customer confidence, and operational performance.
Whether you’re responding to customer requirements, preparing for growth, or simply exploring opportunities to strengthen your business systems, this session will provide a practical overview of what certification entails and how organizations can prepare for success.
What You’ll Learn
- What ISO certification is and why it matters
- The purpose and benefits of ISO 9001
- Common requirements of a Quality Management System (QMS)
- What auditors look for during certification audits
- The typical certification process and timeline
- Resources and support available to help organizations get started
Who Should Attend
- Business owners, executives, quality professionals, operations leaders, and manufacturers interested in learning how ISO certification can support business growth and customer requirements.
Why Attend
Gain a practical understanding of ISO certification and leave with a clearer picture of what it takes to implement a Quality Management System and achieve certification.
About the Trainer
Ken Hayes, Project Manager – Environmental Health & Safety, Quality
Ken Hayes joined Polaris MEP after several decades in RI manufacturing and over a decade of enlisted service in the US Navy. As a Certified Safety Professional, he leads an expanded suite of Environmental Health and Safety solutions.
In industry he has experience in multiple roles including Production Manager; Product Manager; Customer Service Manager; Quality Engineer and Quality Manager; Environmental, Health & Safety Engineer and Manager; Continuous Improvement Manager. He has expertise in data and root cause analysis plus management systems development. Ken’s career has included time with ENNOVI (formerly Interplex) and leading RI Manufacturers Toray Plastics, Ira Green and Teknor Apex.
Ken has a Bachelor of Science degree from Roger Williams University, is a Certified Quality Engineer and QMS Lead Auditor, and served on the leadership team of Rhode Island ASQ for over a decade. Living in Bristol gives him great opportunity to enjoy building, maintaining, and sailing classic plastic and wooden boats.