"With us, the automotive industry has found a healthy and reliable partner with future-proof processes," says Pascal Schiefer, Managing Partner of the Group. "The successful IATF audit proves that we accept the challenges of the automotive industry and implement the requirements."

For the medium-sized manufacturer, the certification is a further milestone in its zero-defect strategy. Until now, the Leipold Group has been certified according to the predecessor standard ISO/TS 16949 since 2003. With this certification, the TÜV, as the executing inspection body, confirms that the manufacturer complies with the requirements of the IATF 16949 standard, which comes into force in September. The two German production sites in Wolfach and Dransfeld have successfully passed the audit. The US plant in Windsor/Connecticut is also expected to be IATF 16949-compliant by the fall.

Beforehand, the company had made great efforts to implement the required business processes. From business development to sales, infrastructure and quality assurance through to the actual production of parts, the processes were subjected to an in-depth analysis. Based on this, processes and procedures were optimized, expanded or newly introduced right up to the audit.

For example, Leipold is tightening up its measures for maintaining and further developing its systems and machines, making its opportunity and risk analysis more targeted and checking the feasibility of the product right from the initial phase of a new project. "This process was a major challenge, especially for us as a medium-sized company. However, it shows that we are keeping pace with the dynamic changes in the automotive industry and that a strong customer focus is one of our guiding principles," says Karl-Heinz Donadt, Head of Quality Management.

IATF compliance follows high quality standards

As the new IATF 16949 is based on ISO 9001:2015, the company also receives proof of compliance with the current version of the internationally uniform quality management standard. The manufacturer is thus taking a further step in its zero-defect strategy. "We are establishing a quality management system at the highest level and are constantly developing it further," explains Schiefer. "Controlled, structured and capable zero-defect processes are our aspiration. The implementation of the new IATF standard consistently follows this goal."

The production of precision parts for the automotive industry is one of the Group's most important divisions. The sector currently accounts for around 40 percent of total sales. Among other things, Leipold manufactures connections in fuel distribution, sensor housings, ABS housings in gearboxes and electrical connection parts as part of automotive electrification. Leipold not only manufactures parts to order, but also advises customers on manufacturability and cost-effectiveness as early as the design phase.