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Belgian tekst
A spectacular start for ISO in Belgium
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The firework making team of van Groep Vangelabbeek,
Lanaken, Belgium
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Established in 1976, Groep Vangelabbeek has built an enviable reputation
for the design and management of international firework displays,
putting the sparkle into major events from Monaco to Moscow. Based
in Lanaken, it is a Government approved specialist for the disposal
of defective firework products, and is also the only company in
Belgium authorized to transport and store airbags.
On 23rd June 2004, Groep Vangelabbeek set a benchmark for other
businesses to follow when it became not only the first company in
Belgium to be issued with an ISO 9001:2000 certificate by IMSM,
but also the first firework producer in the world to be issued with
this internationally recognized standard for quality management.
To mark the occasion Michael Bright, the Managing Director of IMSM,
crossed the channel to present the certificate to Robert Vangelabbeek
in person. Michael explained how IMSM has helped more than 5,500
companies worldwide achieve ISO9001 and why Belgium, as the UK's
6th largest export market, is now the focus of IMSM's global strategy.
He commented, "With its expectation of high quality and competitive
pricing, Belgium suits the IMSM business model perfectly. Located
at the heart of the EU, Belgium is ideally placed as the commercial
hub of Western Europe. With Brussels hosting the European Parliament,
alongside Strasbourg, it plays an increasingly important part in
influencing other countries within the European Union. Furthermore,
the workforce is highly qualified and educated, as reflected in
the experienced and professional team we have put together to serve
this market."
The ceremony was attended by Christophe van Vaerenbergh, Minister
of Economics, Energy, Foreign Trade and Science Policy Representative,
who told the gathering, "This shows how a small company can motivate
itself to grow into a well structured organisation that is capable
of realising great things. It is a known fact that an investment
in a quality management system enhances the economic performance
of an organisation. Everyone concerned benefits - the organisation
and its staff, customers, suppliers, shareholders and society in
general."
Mrs Moerman continued, "Since ISO 9001 is recognized all over the
world, the certification by IMSM - a member of the European Foundation
for Quality Management - confirms Groep Vangelabbeek's commitment
to quality. The Belgian accreditation system "BELCERT", which falls
under my jurisdiction, is also a member of this agreement for international
recognition, which means your certificate will experience no problem
at home. And because you have chosen an institution with a solid
reputation that is part of a worldwide network, the certificate
you are receiving today has an extra international dimension that
will strongly support you in the international marketplace. The
list of existing customers shows that your initiatives are already
successful abroad. Other countries recognise that you offer both
quality and creativity, one of the reasons why Groep Vangelabbeek
is the only Belgian company that's allowed to organise firework
displays in the Netherlands. ISO9001 certification will become an
international passport for your products in your quest for new customers."
Mrs Moerman ended her speech by congratulating Groep Vangelabbeek
for achieving ISO9001 and wishing them every success for the future.
Robert Vangelabbeek summed up by saying, "To obtain the certificate,
they looked at the storage and classification of explosives, as
well as the security and organisation of the company in general.
This is clear confirmation that we are making fireworks of the highest
quality. That's why we are very proud of this achievement. This
certificate demonstrates that our group can meet the strictest European
requirements in the areas of quality, safety and management."
www.vangelabbeek.be
Belgian tekst
23/08/04
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