When non-profit, Milwaukee-based Wiscraft, called WMEP to help the company become ISO 9001-2000 certified, their hopes were like any other small business – to improve the organization of the total business, and to build in continuous improvement and quality. With a 50-person workforce, 75% of which is blind, Wiscraft manufactures two distinct lines: contract assembly machining and packaging for Wisconsin companies, and proprietary products to the US government.

WMEP Manufacturing Specialist Mike Hablewitz recalls that in the beginning, Wiscraft was like most businesses without ISO certification – their processes were not documented, so there was a lot of variability. As a result, efficiency and productivity suffered. 

The first step was to organize a team to lead the project, and to make sure everyone in the organization was involved in the change. They then identified training needs to ensure a consistent knowledge base, did a self-assessment to build a project management schedule, and finally implemented the processes. The unique needs of the Wiscraft workforce led to two minor adaptations to the project: the manufacturing methods were focused on feel and touch, rather than a traditional, visual approach, and they used audio formats for training and documentation.

Wiscraft achieved one of the first ISO 9001-2000 certifications for a non-profit business, and is seeing a ripple effect from their initiative. They entered new markets and adding new, high-quality customers. ISO tells their end customer that they’ve got a quality product and can compete head-to-head with for-profit manufacturers. Overall Wiscraft estimates they have had a bottom-line impact of over $2.3 million dollars in increased and retained sales, and costs saved and avoided.

But in Wiscraft’s opinion, the most important changes from the project have come from the people. “They’ve become more diligent, organized, consistent and systematic in their processes. All is easier to manage because I’m confident we maintain our systems – it’s been wonderful!” said Bill Piernot, President of Wiscraft. Hablewitz added that the workforce now has a higher sense of accomplishment, and uses a teamwork approach throughout the organization.