Staff at The Omega Plastics Group have two causes to celebrate this month as the company secures a coveted international quality award and notches up its 10th year in business.
The Blyth-based tooling and plastic injection moulding manufacturer has been accredited with ISO/TS 16949:2009, the global standard for the automotive sector. Since its launch in 2006, The Omega Plastics Group has experienced significant growth in the sector by producing components for Tier One suppliers to various manufacturers including Aston Martin and Nissan.
Paul Anderson, group quality manager at Omega, said: “The automotive sector is hugely competitive throughout its supply chain and any business that has aspirations to succeed and grow within it has to consistently deliver the very highest standards. By securing this prestigious quality award in our 10th year of operation, The Omega Plastics Group has demonstrated it has the capability and experience to work alongside some of the biggest names in the industry.”
The process to secure ISO/TS 16949:2009 at The Omega Plastics Group began with a two day audit conducted by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance (LQRA), the world’s leading independent provider of business quality assurance.
LQRA later carried out a four day inspection at the firm’s Blyth and Hartlepool sites. “The auditor challenged all aspects of our business from how we receive raw materials to the dispatch of products to customers as well as closely scrutinising our internal processes such as purchasing, administration, training, measurement systems and quality control,” explained Paul. “It is a very thorough audit and having now been accredited we will continue to be monitored to ensure we maintain the requisite standards.”
Since the business started, The Omega Plastics Group has operated under ISO 9001 and has supplied a wide range of sectors, experiencing strong growth across its portfolio particularly in automotive, medical devices and FMCGs.
Last month, The Omega Plastics Group announced it was forecasting a 50% increase in turnover this year to around £8.5m.
Group managing director, Dave Crone, commented: “The business has grown exponentially since I launched it at Team Valley, Gateshead in 2006. Since then we have moved into additional and larger premises, creating more than 70 jobs and expanding our production capability. Our 2015 merger with Signal Plastics brought two successful and innovative businesses together, further strengthening our position in the market for prototype development, specialist tooling and plastic injection moulding. Achieving ISO/TS 16949:2009 provides a great springboard into our second decade.”
As well as its sites in Blyth and Hartlepool, The Omega Plastics Group also has a facility in Washington, Tyne & Wear.