a.b.e. Construction Chemicals’ production plant and head office in Boksburg as well as its new warehouse facility in KZN have been awarded the internationally-recognised ISO 9001:2008 accreditation.

The company – part of the Chryso Southern Africa Group – attained this important SABS quality management system accreditation following an SABS certification audit in December last year. a.b.e.’s original factory at Isipingo, Durban, received ISO 9001:2008 accreditation in 1991.

“The manufacturing activities of a.b.e. – which was formally established back in 1939 - were for several decades mainly centred around its Isipingo plant, which then also housed its head office. However, since a.b.e. became part of the Chryso Southern Africa Group at the end of 2010, there has been a steady increase in production operations in Boksburg which led to our decision to also seek IS0 9001:2008 quality management system status for the factory at the new head office in Boksburg,” Andries Marais, Safety, Health, Environmental & Quality Manager for Chryso Southern Africa, states.

For example, as part of its sustainable development programme, the Chryso Southern Africa Group in 2012 established a new plant for the dustless manufacture of cementitious powdered products at the Boksburg premises of a.b.e. Other products previously imported are now also being produced at a.b.e. in Boksburg. Marais says the ISO 9001:2008 accreditation now received from SABS also covers a.b.e.’s new warehouse at Mount Edgecombe in KZN, which means the company’s entire national production operations are now compliant with the respected quality management system. “The ISO 9001:2008 certificate is an invaluable quality management system and we are proud that all the a.b.e. operations managed to achieve this recognition without any major hassles. The certification is globally recognised and will help a.b.e. to improve management processes to compete internationally. The process encompasses the entire organisation and requires commitment from senior management as well as those involved in production quality. By achieving ISO 9001:2008 certification, a.b.e. has demonstrated that it can meet the regulatory requirements and apply the system effectively to be of substantial benefit to our customers,” Marais adds.

Taken into consideration for ISO 9001:2008 certification are aspects such as production facilities, staff skills and training, services provided, and equipment used for all aspects of the company’s operations. The internal assessments and writing up of the a.b.e. Construction Chemicals Quality Manual were all carried out internally by the Chryso Southern Africa SHEQ division, headed by Marais. In line with all ISO 9001:2008 accreditations, audits to ensure the maintenance of the quality management system will be carried out annually. “ISO 9001:2008 is an important milestone for any company,” Marais adds. “It helps implement best practice methodology, provides the foundation for better customer satisfaction, and is also an important factor in staff motivation. We believe the a.b.e. accreditation will be of tremendous benefit to the entire Chryso Southern Africa Group.”

Chryso South Africa’s three production plants and warehouses at Jet Park, Durban, and Cape Town; as well as the company’s warehouse at Port Elizabeth, have all been ISO 9001:2008 compliant since 200