IATF 16949:2016 standard: For a sustainable automotive industry

After IATF 16949:2016 was officially applied to replace ISO/TS 16949:2009, so far, many enterprises in Vietnam automotive manufacturing industry have successfully converted.

IATF 16949:2016 was issued in October 2016 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the international automotive industry (IATF) to replace ISO/TS 16949:2009. This is the standard applied to a specific quality management system for the automotive industry and related component manufacturers.

To apply IATF 16949:2016, in addition to meeting the requirements stated in IATF 16949:2016, businesses must regularly apply the 5 core tools of the automotive component manufacturing industry such as : FMEA – analysis of potential errors and impacts of potential forms of error; SPC – process control by statistics; MSA – analysis of measurement systems; APQP – advanced planning method for product quality and control plan and PPAP – production approval process (batch).

Although initially embarrassing, many domestic manufacturers of automobile support and assembly industries have promptly completed the requirements set by the new standard and have been granted IATF 16949:2016 certificates. Initially the new standard has helped the productivity and product quality of businesses to be stable and increased, Vietnam Engine and Agricultural Machinery Corporation (VEAM) is a testament.

In order to improve product quality and meet the stringent requirements of automobile and motorbike production partners, right after the IATF 16949:2016 was announced, VEAM provided financial and technical support, training and consulting for 2 member units: Song Cong Diesel Limited Company (Disoco) and Machine Parts Company No. 1 (Futu1) to build IATF 16949:2016. So far both of these units have achieved IATF 16949:2016 certification, VEAM has also deployed for other units in the corporation such as: SVEAM and Casting VEAM in the South.

Mr. Ho Manh Tuan – Deputy General Director of VEAM – said: Initially, we encountered many difficulties. Many member units said that I only manufacture motorbike parts and build IATF 16949:2016, the conditions need to be enterprises in the automotive industry and must have production data for at least 1 year for specific customers. However, this is a misunderstanding because for the world, the automobile industry is understood to include motorcycles, so after understanding the problem, the units have approved the construction of IATF 16949.

In order to optimize costs and do not disturb production, VEAM has chosen in every enterprise a factory to apply, specifically in Disoco as a spare parts factory for Honda and in Futu1 as a hand forging workshop. case for Honda. At Disoco, after 1 year of applying IATF 16949:2016, the total value of orders for automobile components production in 2018 reached 78 billion, 3 times higher than before applying, labor productivity increased to 150%, Product quality is high, the rate of defective products is reduced by 20%.

Given the benefits that IATF 16949:2016 brings, the remaining Disoco and Futu1 production workshops and VEAM’s member businesses have also actively implemented IATF 16949:2016 construction, awareness of employees in the company are also raised.

Mr. Ho Manh Tuan – Deputy General Director of VEAM shared: The biggest benefit that businesses get from applying IATF 16949: 2016 is that the quality of products and services is always stable, meeting safety requirements, creating competitive advantages as well as enhancing brands, increasing customers’ trust, saving costs, contributing to increasing revenue and profit.

Productivity and Quality Office