By: Jeff White, Induron Executive Vice President and General Manager
Earlier this month, Induron completed our very first ISO recertification audit, which is a milestone that’s both exciting and humbling. For context, a full recertification audit is conducted every three years, with annual internal and external surveillance audits in between. It’s our way of making sure we consistently uphold the high standards we’ve set for ourselves, and, more importantly, for our customers.
I often get asked how to explain an ISO audit in a relatable way. My favorite analogy? Think of it like having your teeth cleaned at the dentist. Stay with me…
Anyone in the corrosion protection business knows that everything deteriorates over time if it’s not properly maintained. Teeth, like steel, require regular care. Brushing dailyand for some of us, a little obsessively—helps prevent major problems down the road. In our world, applying the right coating at the right time helps protect steel from corrosion and ensures it stands the test of time.
An ISO audit functions similarly. We have well-documented systems and processes, and our team is trained and lives those processes every day. The goal is to prevent our quality system from “decaying” by paying attention to the details of how we do our work.
But here’s the thing: no matter how diligent you are, audits, whether internal or external, always reveal opportunities for improvement (OFIs). This year was no exception. During both our internal and recertification audits, we identified areas where we can refine processes, add safeguards, or simply do things a little better. Sometimes it’s a minor inconsistency but other times, it’s a chance to strengthen our quality system. Every OFI is an opportunity to learn and improve, and that’s exactly what we plan to do.
As we navigate the football season, I’m reminded of a quote from Vince Lombardi that perfectly captures our mindset:
“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.”
At Induron, we’ll continue chasing that perfection, not because we’re flawless, but because striving for it ensures that we deliver excellence, every single day, for every customer, on every project.