Smithers Quality Assessments Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary in July 2013

AKRON, Ohio, July 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Smithers Quality Assessments (SQA), a Smithers Group company, celebrates its 20^th anniversary in July. Since its founding in 1993, SQA has served the certification needs of small and large industrial, commercial, government and service businesses globally.

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"Over the last 20 years, SQA has experienced tremendous growth," says Chief Executive Officer and President of The Smithers Group, Michael Hochschwender. "We attribute our success to two things: our people and our process."   In addition, "Our entire executive team is always accessible" and "strives to exceed expectations by utilizing their many years of industry experience."

SQA differentiates its service delivery by the unique relationship developed between the auditors and clients.  Jeanette Preston, President of SQA, notes that "SQA auditors and staff establish a committed and long-term relationship with clients from the moment they engage with SQA, through certification efforts and subsequent follow-up requirements."

SQA was founded when third-party quality certification was still optional (see sidebar).  When the automotive industry mandated quality standards for its suppliers in the mid-90s, SQA was immediately positioned for growth. John Sedlak, SQA's first employee and former Vice President, recalls "That's what really catapulted us forward as a certification body. We started out with one customer and three employees and we grew to more than 50 team members, over 1,300 clients, and certifications issued around the world."

A vision for the future

SQA recently opened a new location in Suzhou, China to help service domestic and multinational clients. The company expects to continue to explore additional international opportunities in order to meet the needs of its clients.

"Over the past twenty years, we have built our business on the philosophy of 'education and preparation leads to success,'" adds Mrs. Preston. "We continue to operate that way today and our clients appreciate our transparency and our 'no surprises' approach."

A special milestone celebration for employees and clients is planned for this summer.

Humble beginnings

In 1990, Total Quality Management, TQM, was the much anticipated topic of conversation amongst quality conscience companies. The concept of Smithers Quality Assessments began when Mr. Hochschwender researched the need for quality management system certification for Smithers existing clients. 

In accordance with Smithers core values of anticipating clients' needs and finding innovative ways to service them, a business plan was submitted to the executive team.  Bob Moyer, who was a Smithers quality executive at the time, evaluated the idea and began the process of building a business around it.

Once the business plan was put into motion, the hard work of SQA's team paid off when the automotive industry mandated quality certification for its supply chain.  This was the "catalyst for SQA's over 20 years of continued success," commented Mrs. Preston.

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About Smithers Quality Assessments

Smithers Quality Assessments is an Akron, OH-based accredited quality and environmental management systems certification body founded in 1993 and serves small and large industrial, commercial, government and services businesses in North America and Europe.

About The Smithers Group:

Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, The Smithers Group includes Smithers Viscient, Smithers Pira, Smithers Rapra, Smithers Apex, Smithers Pharma Services, and Smithers Quality Assessments.  Each Smithers Group company provides technology-based services focused on a defined market.  As a group the diversity of market sectors and technologies provides stability and a platform for long-term growth.  By integrating science, technology and business expertise, Smithers goal is to add value throughout the life cycle of our clients' products, by utilizing testing, consulting, information, and compliance services.  All Smithers companies are known by their clients as Trusted Providers of Innovative Solutions. For more information, visit www.smithers.com.

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SOURCE The Smithers Group