Brainard Rivet Co. of Girard now proudly flies a flag signifying its new quality certification. From the left are consultant Tom Fazekas, General Manager Judy Volpe, Quality Manager Scott Felger, and Rufus Hudson, marketing coordinator of the YSU Metro College.

By Elaine A. Habeger

General Manager Judy Vople learned last year that her business, Brainard Rivet Co. in Girard, would have to acquire a new, international certification to stay competitive.

Volpe contacted YSU Metro Co llege, the process went smoothly, and Brainard received the certification in June 2007.

Brainard, Division of Fastener Industries, Inc., is one example of the success of the Metro College’s Target–Industry Training Program, which helps local businesses make improvements at lowered costs.

Improvements may include training in supervisory leadership, product quality assurance, and “a variety of quality programs designed to build teams, improve output and raise customer satisfaction,” said Rufus Hudson, Metro College marketing coordinator.

Hudson said the Metro College team identifies a business that could benefit from the program, highlights an area for improvement, and mediates between the business and outside sources, such as trainers or consultants. Savings to the businesses come in two ways: negotiations by the Metro College and grants they secure from the Ohio Board of Regents.

“These programs are part of the Metro College mission as well as YSU’s outreach mission,” he said.ï¾ 

Hudson and Michael Glonek, program planner at the Metro College, have assisted 10 businesses in the tri–county area since 2003 with this program. They have facilitated training for a total of 706 employees, and have saved companies $174,793 through grants.

“Being targeted more to the business community, the Metro College is fortunate to be able to access these resources to help companies be competitive,” Hudson said.

He said Brainard Rivet is a typical company to benefit from the program.

Brainard, a 100 percent employee–owned company, manufactures rivets and other fasteners for the farm and railroad industries, but mainly for automobiles and trucks. So when the International Automotive Task Force issued a new quality management system certification, Brainard knew it had to keep up.

 “If we did not update our previous certification, we would have lost some of our current customers and would not have been able to pursue new business with automotive transplants,” Volpe said.

She contacted the Metro College, where she received “a lot of support.”

“Rufus was very accommodating and did the majority of the work,” Volpe said. “He introduced us to a knowledgeable consulting company, and made my job very easy, as he had a very thorough understanding of the Ohio Board of Regents filing requirements.”

Brainard’s quality manager, Scott Felger, said that consultants from QMS Consulting in Cleveland visited Brainard repeatedly over the next several months to conduct trainings with Brainard’s 35 employees and implement production methods geared toward the new standard. The internationally recognized certification, known as ISO/TS 16949:2002, involves defect prevention, waste reduction, and overall quality assurance.

Brainard received the certification in June 2007, and in October received a flag indicating their new status. Sales Manager Bob Byers said the certification is “a great marketing tool,” and he expects an increase in sales.

Other businesses assisted by the Metro College’s program include B&D Trucking, Falcon Foundry, Seckley Industries and Venture Plastics. Training topics include quality assurance, environmental waste management, and lean enterprises, a method to maximize efficiency.

The Metro College is currently working with Summer Garden Foods, previously the John Zidian Co., in a variety of areas, from development of a new facility to employee training to qualify certification. Summer Garden is planning to expand globally, and, Hudson said, “We’re helping them make that quantum leap.”