Foxa has updated its quality management system to comply with the ISO 9001:2015 standard. This change is now clearly evident in day-to-day operations, resulting in enhanced competitiveness and smoother workflows.
Foxa has received certification for its quality management system. The ISO 9001 quality certificate covers the development and manufacture of fabrics for workwear, military and healthcare, as well as the end products made from them.
Foxa’s Quality Manager Krista Heikkilä describes the reform as a comprehensive change. It was not merely an update, but a new way of working.
“Quality is no longer a separate system, but part of our day-to-day work and decision-making,” says Heikkilä.
The project required extensive preparation, a review of processes and an external audit. The result was a system that meets customer requirements and guides operations in practice.
A system to guide high-quality work
The quality system based on the ISO 9001 standard brings, above all, a systematic approach to Foxa’s day-to-day operations. Quality management is now based on the continuous collection, analysis and development of data.
Regular audits are a key part of the system. Furthermore, every deviation identified is recorded, addressed and rectified systematically. This makes operations transparent and helps prevent errors.
– We now have clear operating models for how to act in different situations. This provides certainty and speeds up our response, says Heikkilä.
At the same time, the work instructions are easily accessible and consistent, which streamlines day-to-day operations and reduces uncertainty.
Competitiveness and market confidence
The quality certificate is an important part of Foxa’s competitiveness. Particularly in tenders, a certified quality system serves as concrete proof of the quality of our operations and products.
Many of our customers expect and require us to hold a certificate. Previously, we had to prove our quality through various reports, or a customer would come to us to carry out an audit.
– Now the quality management system meets these requirements directly. It saves time and makes processes smoother for both us and our customers, says Heikkilä.
A shared change strengthened commitment
One of the most significant impacts is visible in the workplace. When the quality system is directly linked to day-to-day work, its importance becomes tangible for every employee.
The change was significant, but it didn’t start from scratch. Foxa already had its own quality manual in place, on the basis of which high-quality work had been carried out systematically.
– Commitment has clearly grown. When people see how the system makes their own work easier, it is genuinely perceived as useful, Heikkilä notes.
The system also brings a sense of purpose to the work. Clear operating models, open information and continuous development create a sense of control and success.
Continuous improvement is just the beginning
Foxa’s quality system is an evolving tool. At its core lies the idea of continuous improvement – that operations are systematically reviewed and developed every day.
Collected data, audit findings and day-to-day experiences drive development forward. In this way, quality becomes part of the company’s culture.
– This gives us a strong foundation for the future. The quality system is a way of doing things better all the time, Heikkilä sums up.