Železiarne Podbrezová (ŽP a.s.), a joint-stock company, places significant emphasis on quality, ensuring regular audits within the organization.
An audit is a systematic, independent, and documented process for obtaining and evaluating objective evidence. The goal is to determine the extent to which the audit criteria are met. At ŽP a.s., both internal and external audits are conducted, including second and third-party audits.
Second-party audits are performed by parties in connection with Železiarne Podbrezová, such as customers or their representatives. Third-party audits are conducted by independent auditing organizations or government agencies.
External auditors must meet stringent qualification requirements and pass rigorous exams. Similarly, internal auditors must also pass exams to obtain certification as internal auditors according to relevant standards. Each year, ŽP a.s. develops a quality management system audit program, approved by the general director.
Annual Audit Volume
In 2023, ŽP a.s. conducted seven external audits from certification companies, four from customers, 22 internal system and process audits, and 48 product audits.
Key audits include compliance with standards such as:
Tom-Ferr: Ensuring High-Quality Automotive Products
Since 2019, TOM-FERR has been part of the ŽP Group, specializing in the production and processing of tubes and components, with a notable presence in the Hungarian market since 1994. Based in Budapest, TOM-FERR entered the automotive industry in 2012, earning certification to IATF 16949 (formerly ISO/TS 16949), a quality management standard tailored for the automotive sector.
IATF 16949 builds on ISO 9001, adding specific requirements to ensure the highest quality and safety of automotive products. The standard emphasizes continuous improvement, risk management, and defect prevention throughout the automotive supply chain.
Its goal is to enhance customer satisfaction by consistently meeting or exceeding customer requirements and expectations. The standard covers a broad range of processes and activities, including the design, development, manufacturing, and servicing of automotive products.
TOM-FERR is committed to producing high-quality automotive products and maintaining top-tier quality management standards.
Initially, the company’s audited technology portfolio included cutting, bending, and pressing.
Growing demand from the automotive industry led to the addition of laser cutting and CNC machining. To meet automotive industry needs, TOM-FERR established a well-equipped measuring laboratory and employed highly qualified metrology personnel to ensure constant product control through 3D measurements and data recording integrated into the ERP system. This dedication has led to the launch of several new projects.
In response to market trends and customer expectations, TOM-FERR began producing steel tubes on highly automated HF welding equipment in 2019. This equipment allows for the production of tubes with diameters from 19 to 89 mm, wall thicknesses from 0.8 to 5 mm, and strengths of DP600, with an annual capacity of 10,000 tons.
To ensure success and secure orders from the automotive industry, this facility was integrated into the IATF system by 2022. In 2023, TOM-FERR further aligned with customer needs by integrating ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 alongside the IATF standard.
Article written by:
Petra Szczepaniaková
Marketing Department
szczepaniakova.petra@zelpo.sk
