[Johannesburg, 11 July 2016]: Energas Technologies, leading supplier of high-end and specialised equipment to the oil and gas industries in Southern Africa, recently obtained its ISO 9001 accreditation and now holds a level 4 certificate along with 38% black-owned and 30% black woman-owned shareholding.
Laetitia Botha, Energas Technologies Product Engineer, says, “Obtaining ISO 9001 accreditation is a significant step forward for Energas Technologies, as it means that we’ve been successfully audited to have an acceptable quality system that meets the requirements of the accreditation. The certificate is issued for the design and supply of pressure reduction stations, metering stations and equipment to the gas industry, as well as selection, sizing and supply of petroleum storage tank safety equipment, as stated on the document. The ISO 9000 Quality Management System focuses on meeting customer expectations, delivering customer satisfaction, quality record-keeping and also ensures continuous improvement.”
The ISO 9001 standard requires that organisations implement and maintain documented procedures for its effective operation. There are a total of six mandatory procedures involved in obtaining accreditation and each organisation is required to establish, issue and communicate a documented quality policy, a quality manual and several sets of records. “An organisation applying for ISO 9001 certification is audited based on an extensive sample of its sites, functions, products, services and processes. Should there be no major non-conformities, the certification will be issued. We’re delighted to have obtained ours in March this year,” comments Botha.
“Customers often require proof of ISO 9001 accreditation to assure that quality control systems are in place and that both service and product delivery requirements will be met. It means that we have documented procedures in place to handle projects that will ensure quality delivery to customers. It also helps us, the ISO 9001 certified company, to ensure that customer requirements are met, thereby saving costs on preventable mistakes and rework, and also lends confidence to the buying process,” Botha reflects.
BEE certification
Energas Technologies has held a BEE certificate since 2011, but sought to enhance this standing in pursuit of business growth and development. “The aim of BEE certification should not merely be about compliance for the sake of it, but on finding ways to be a better BEE contributor and in so doing, supporting our commitment to the advancement of previously disadvantaged groups,” remarks Botha.
A company seeking BEE certification is rated by an approved auditing company on several scorecards elements, including:
- Direct Empowerment (Black Ownership & Management Control)
- Human Resources Empowerment (Employment Equity & Skills Development)
- Indirect Empowerment (Preferential Procurement, Enterprise Development & Socio-Economic Development)
Preferential procurement is a significant driver for transformation in South Africa’s economy by encouraging procurement from suppliers that are B-BBEE compliant. Comments Botha, “As a supplier of equipment to the natural gas industry, our B-BBEE contribution along with our shareholding status will not only contribute to the economy, but also positions Energas Technologies as a preferred supplier, that supports its clients’ own BEE scorecards, in this arena.”
“We now hold a level 4 BEE certificate along with 38% black-owned and 30% black woman-owned shareholding. This is something of which we are tremendously proud – and that gives us a more competitive edge in the market,” says Botha. “In addition, our ISO 9001 accreditation means that we will be able to monitor all our outlined objectives and be able to better align ourselves with our customers’ requirements. We pursued both our ISO 9001 certification and BEE status to better serve our customers – and to cement our position as leaders in the market place,” she concludes.
