Dual ISO Registration —
Press Release Pictorial Offset is World’s First
Printer To Achieve Dual ISO Registrations
CARLSTADT, N.J. — Pictorial Offset Corporation announces it has become the first commercial printer to have simultaneously attained ISO 9002 and ISO 14001 Management System Standards registrations.
The achievement, unparalleled in the printing industry and accomplished by only a handful of other firms in other industries, has resulted in a program of continuously improving quality and environmental standards that not only meet, but exceed, Pictorial Offset customers’ expectations.
Accepted by more than 80 nations as the ultimate management standards for product and service quality and environmental commitment, the ISO 9001:2000 (quality) and ISO 14001:2004 (environment) registrations required nearly 40,000 manhours on the part of Pictorial Offset’s 250 employees over a 14-month period. Implementation of the processes began in October 1997; Pictorial Offset passed the certification audits in December 1998; registrations were approved in January 1999. An outside, ISO-accredited organization will continue to audit performance biannually on both registrations.
"Our dedication to providing our clients with solutions from a world-class printing partner led us to set the bar as high as possible," said Pictorial Offset’s Managing Partners, Donald, Gary and Lester Samuels. "In doing so, we decided to strive not for one, but for two ISO registrations. Our family is very proud of our employees’ efforts and the teamwork that made it happen."
Work toward the ISO 9001:2000 registration began with Pictorial Offset management’s commitment to a quality policy that emphasizes attentive service, teamwork, fine craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technology. Today, a continuous improvement process is imbedded in the firm’s quality program, which includes prescribed roles and measures for every department and every employee.
In achieving the ISO 14001 registration, Pictorial Offset instituted practices and procedures that reaffirmed and strengthened the company’s environmental commitments: to find new and long-term methods for reducing and recycling waste, to meet all legal requirements, and to continuously improve the company’s impact on the environment. "When we recently celebrated our 65th anniversary, we felt that ISO registration would be a truly meaningful way to observe it," said Pictorial Offset Quality Manager John Freeman. "Our goal, however, was not simply to become registered under the quality and environmental standards. We set out to create a continuous improvement process that would go beyond all of our customers’ expectations and improve the world we all share. Pictorial Offset Corporation, founded in 1938, is headquartered at its 197,000 square-foot production facility in Carlstadt, N.J. The $75-million web and sheetfed printing company is consistently rated among the top commercial printers in the United States.
ISO standards are administered by the International Organization for Standardization, based in Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 1947, it is a worldwide, non-governmental federation of national standards bodies from some 130 countries. Its mission is to promote development of standardization, with a view to facilitate international trade, and to develop cooperation in the spheres of scientific, technological and economic activity. (The term "ISO" derives not from the name of the organization, but from the Greek "isos," meaning "equal" as it relates to the term "standard.")
Contact: Donald Samuels, Managing PartnerPictorial Offset Corporation
111 Amor Avenue
Carlstadt, NJ 07020-0157
201-935-7100
Fax 201-896-8262
© 2006 Pictorial Offset Corp.