We’re excited to have just announced that Meridian Cable Assemblies has recently obtained a gold standard certification in the automotive industry. After a lot of hard work, Meridian has met the requirements for obtaining the IATF 16949 certification (also simply known as the IATF certification).
To fully understand the importance of this recent achievement, we have published a two-part series that dives into the specifics of the certificate designation. In this section, we’ll highlight why this designation is so important, discuss important companies that also value the IATF 16949 certification, and look at companies that currently hold its designation.
A Short History of the IATF 16949 Certification
The IATF 16949 certification was created in 1999 by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) – a consortium of automotive trade associations and manufacturers working in conjunction with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). According to the IATF, the requirements set forth within the IATF Certification were created to bring unity to all of “the different assessment and certification systems worldwide in the supply chain for the automotive sector.”
The IATF Certification has since undergone various updates to reflect changes in the automotive industry standards. The most recent iteration of the document was published in 2016 as the IATF 16949:2016.
Obtaining this certification signifies to the automotive industry that Meridian’s management systems are capable of continually manufacturing quality cable assemblies and harnesses. Further, the certification recognizes our unparalleled expertise in designing an array of standard and customizable cable assembly and harness products that can meet our customer’s demands in the automotive industry.
What is the IATF 16949 Certification and Why is it Important?
The IATF 16949 certification is a merit badge for companies that are responsible for creating and supplying automotive elements or assemblies to the automotive industry. When a company attains an IATF 16949 certification, it signifies a number of high marks about its product to a prospective buyer.
According to the globally accredited certification body, National Quality Assurance Limited (NAQ), the IATF certification reveals that a company has developed a “process-oriented quality management system that provides for continual improvement, defect prevention and reduction of variation and waste.” Establishing this system ideally leads to a production process that consistently churns out grade-level automotive parts and assemblies.
Companies that Require an IATF 16949 Certification
Top automotive companies around the world actively seek out custom cable and harness manufacturers that have passed the rigorous requirements of the IATF 16949. Below are a few recognizable companies that look for this gold standard.
BMW Group
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, better known by its luxury-defining acronym BMW, is a powerhouse member of the International Automotive Task Force. With customers spanning the globe, BMW has constructed a supply line that is truly complex and cost-efficient to ensure that its customers continually receive a high-caliber vehicle with a matching price.
For this to occur, contracted companies conducting business along BMW’s supply line must also be able to invariably produce quality automotive parts that ensure BMW’s brand is upheld. To guarantee this quality, almost all of these companies are required to hold an IATF certification.
Stellantis
Formerly known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles or FCA US LLC, Stellantis is a Netherlands-based company that oversees the production of vehicles including trucks, SUVs, and commercial vehicles. Stellantis’ portfolio boasts recognizable brands such as Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep on the consumer end, as well as Maserati on the more luxurious side.
Regardless of brand affordability, Stellantis, like BMW, requires companies that create parts for its vehicles to retain an IATF certification to ensure quality maintenance.
Ford Motor Company
Creator of the original American muscle car, the Ford Mustang is one of the most recognizable cars across the world. The ingenuity and attention-to-detail put into this classic, along with Ford’s other array of vehicles, has followed this car since its inception.
Today, iconic models like the F-150 and the Mustang still retain their superb quality in every part. Like its competitors, Ford ensures quality assurance by requiring third-party companies working within its supply chain to maintain an IATF 16949 certification.
Other Companies that Value an IATF 16949 Certification
The BMW Group, Stellantis, and the Ford Motor Company are not the only major players in the automobile industry that require its third-party contracts to hold an IATF 16949 certification. Below is a list of other recognizable and not-so-recognizable companies and organizations that value the IATF certification:
- Daimler AG
- French Federation of Vehicle Equipment Industries (FIEV)
- Geely Group
- General Motors Company
- German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA QMC)
- Groupe Renault
- Jaguar Land Rover Limited
- Italian Association of the Automotive Industry (ANFIA)
- The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
- Volkswagen AG
Companies with IATF 16949 Certification
While Meridian has only recently obtained its IATF 16949 certification, there are many other companies playing important roles in the automotive industry that have, and/or continue to hold, this gold standard classification. This section will provide a small snapshot of the multitude of other IATF 16949 certification holders.
Optimas Solutions
Optimas Solutions is a company that specializes in creating standard fastening products, such as screws, nuts, bolts, and washers for a variety of industries, including the automotive industry.
Jasper Rubber
Jasper Rubber manufactures molded, extruded, and lathe-cut, rubber, plastic, and thermoplastic materials for automotive components. Jasper’s products are recognized for their standard grade and are commonly sold in the US and exported to countries such as Mexico and Canada.
Covercraft Industries, LLC
Covercraft Industries is a leader in creating custom covers for vehicles of all sizes. Evolving from humble beginnings in California, Covercraft’s products have become internationally recognized for their quality and durability earning them the status of the “world’s largest manufacturer of custom patterned vehicle covers” (retrieved via Covercraft website).
Mecavit
Mecavit is an Italian company that manufactures fasteners such as high-quality screws. With 60% of its business overseas, Mecavit is truly an international company that services automotive clients in the European Union and Russia.
Tempel Facilities
Tempel Facilities is an international manufacturing company that produces high-quality, magnetic laminations for motors.
AIM Solder
AIM Solder is a manufacturing company that supplies solder assembly materials and products to the electronics industry. Within the automotive industry specifically, AIM is a global supplier of solder paste, solder wires, and solder bars.
Mayfield Engineering Company Incorporated (MEC, Inc.)
MEC, Inc. is a third-party contract manufacturer that supplies an array of “prototyping and tooling, production fabrication, coating, assembly, and aftermarket services to the automotive industry” (retrieved via MEC website). Its products are used in a variety of vehicle markets including commercial, power sports, construction, and military markets.
Mill Steel Company
The Mill Steel Company specializes in servicing steel. Among its various steel service centers in the US, the Mill Steel Company has received its IATF certification for its production of steel coils that are designed to meet the custom needs of its customers.
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments is known to many as the company that produces high-end calculators that help students pass their complicated math classes. While this is true, Texas Instruments is also involved in the creation of a variety of products that are across the spectrum for multiple industries. Within the automotive industry, Texas Instruments is known for manufacturing integrated circuits for automotive systems.
Midwest Rubber Company
A competitor of Jasper Rubber, the Midwest Rubber Company also manufactures high-quality plastic and rubber components for the automotive industry. Midwest Rubber Company specializes in dip-molding and dip-coating techniques for car parts. In fact, you may find Midwest Rubber Company’s rubber products on your own vehicle’s windshield wipers.
Nissin Manufacturing Co., LTD.
Nissin Manufacturing Co. is a Japanese manufacturing company recognized for its production of metal and powertrain parts for the automotive industry supply chain.
Schweizer
Schweizer is a manufacturer of spring technology. Schweizer has industrial hubs in Europe and Asia and holds multiple IATF certifications for the production of strip springs, clamping springs, and wire springs, to name a few.
Where Does Meridian Cable Assemblies Fit In?
As you can see from the list of certification holders in the previous section, the scope of the IATF 16949 extends across every aspect of the automotive industry’s supply chain. From the smallest screw to the rubber trim on a windshield wiper, the IATF certification ensures that quality is maintained across the product spectrum.
As a recent recipient of the IATF 16949 certification, Meridian is primed and ready to employ our cable assembly expertise for all of our customers in the automotive industry and elsewhere. We have an array of products that will almost certainly fulfill any cable assembly or wire harness needs that you may require. If you do not find what you are looking for, we have the capability to manufacture a customized product to meet your exact specifications.
Get Your Custom Cable Project Started Now
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