ADDRESS BY MR. NOEL TREACY T.D., MINISTER FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMERCE, AT THE AWARDING OF AN ISO 9002 CERTIFICATE TO CONNAUGHT TIMBER PRODUCTS LTD. IN HAYDEN'S HOTEL, BALLINASLOE AT 6.00 P.M. ON 23RD OCTOBER 1998

I am very pleased to have been asked to present this ISO 9,002 Certificate, to Connaught Timber Products Ltd.

This Company has been supplying a wide range of timber products to both indigenous and multinational companies in the electronic, health care and agricultural business sectors, for over twenty years.

The careful management of the company by its founders/directors - M/S Eamon and Tony Ryan, has resulted in the company being certified to ISO 9,002 by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, for whom, I have governmental responsibility.

The "family" of standards, known collectively as the ISO 9,000 series, was developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation (I.S.O.) and first published in 1987.

The Mobil Oil Company carried out a survey of ISO 9,000 activity, on a global basis and it has shown that ISO 9,000 is the most successful international standard ever produced and is currently in use, in over 70 countries worldwide. This detailed survey, which has been taken over by the ISO Central Secretariat, has shown a very large acceptance by companies of the value of ISO 9,000 Certification.

The total number of ISO 9,000 registrations up to December 1998 is about 2,200. This confirms the commitment to the highest international standards, by Irish Industry.

Companies or organisations in all industry/economic sectors have identified the ISO 9,000 standard, as a strategic management tool, facilitating effective control over design, manufacturing and service delivery processes.

Applying an ISO 9,000 System for Quality Management within an organisation, results in significant benefits in many areas including:

• Management effectiveness through structured, organised and defined authorities, responsibilities and reporting structures.

• Operating efficiency, through clear documented practices and procedures.

• Cost reduction, through the identification and elimination of potential system deficiencies and product failures.

• Increased marketability through the identification of a registered company, with a quality philosophy and international standard.

• Customer satisfaction, through the receipt of enhanced service or product quality levels.

I am very happy that employment in Connaught Timber Products Ltd. is set to increase to 20, with the introduction of environmental quality controls systems. Implementing ISO 9,000 will, in future, make it easier for companies to implement ISO 14,000 Environmental Standards.

The ISO Secretariat have, recognising the importance of both ISO 9,000 and the ISO 14,000 Environmental Standards, undertaken a study of the compatibility of the two standards.

They have recently decided, not to merge ISO 9,000 with ISO 14,000 but have undertaken to make it easier for businesses to implement both, by making them more compatible.

Connaught Timber Products Ltd. has joined an elite number of companies, who have recognised the benefits of certification to ISO 9,000 both for themselves and their clients. This local company symbolises everything that is good about Irish Industry, they produce quality products, deliver on time, have a very dedicated workforce, outstanding management and have a total commitment to local economic development.

I congratulate everybody involved with this very successful company and I wish you all, every success in the future.