How Freer Consulting Helped a Midsize Company Achieve AISC Certification

Relevant Regulation(s):AISC Certification

Year(s):2004-present

Location(s) Global

Client Overview

We partnered with a midsize company specializing in fabrication and field services on both regional and national levels. They approached us with the goal of expanding their market presence through AISC certification. While they had solid work practices, these were not fully documented. Additionally, their motivation included reducing errors and enhancing overall quality.

About the Client

The company operates within the fabrication and field services industry and sought AISC certification to bolster their market share and improve operational standards.

Motivation for Certification

Their primary motivations were to formalize their existing processes, minimize errors, and improve quality, which would enable them to compete more effectively in the market.

Challenges

One of the main challenges was translating existing work practices into the required documentation formats while balancing their ongoing business operations with the certification project needs.

Specific Issues Faced

The client struggled with converting informal work practices into formalized documentation. Additionally, they faced time constraints and challenges in managing the project workload alongside their regular business operations.

Freer Consulting's Approach

Our approach began with a comprehensive assessment of their business model, identifying key processes relevant to AISC certification. We assigned process owners to align with these key processes and conducted weekly meetings to tailor Freer Consulting's flow charts to their actual work practices. This started with a scoping meeting to confirm the project’s scope and requirements, followed by a kickoff meeting to define the scope and select process owners. We implemented a flexible schedule that adapted to ongoing progress and client needs.

Key Strategies and Services

• Initial assessment and planning, tailored to their specific requirements.
• Scheduled regular meetings and provided continuous adjustments based on progress.
• Conducted an internal audit and developed corrective action plans to address any issues identified.
• Integrated AISC with QP1 and QP3 certifications into a cohesive management system.

Adapting to Client Needs

We adjusted our approach based on their business workload, making necessary changes to process ownership and providing additional training and support to address complex processes.

Implementation

To address these challenges, we adapted our meeting schedule to accommodate the client's business demands and provided extra training and support as needed. We kept the client informed through several project assessments, demonstrating progress and ensuring transparency.

Steps Taken

• Modified meeting schedules to align with client workload.
• Provided targeted training and support for complex processes.
• Conducted internal audits and developed corrective actions.

Certification Timeline

From initial assessment to achieving AISC certification, our process included structured planning, regular adjustments, and continuous communication to ensure the project stayed on track.

Results

The company successfully achieved AISC certification, leading to increased market share, improved quality standards, and enhanced employee knowledge. This accomplishment enabled them to pursue additional certifications, such as QP1 and QP3, which we integrated into a comprehensive management system.

Quantifiable Benefits

• Increased contracts and market share.
• Improved operational efficiency.

Qualitative Improvements

• Enhanced reputation and industry standing.
• Improved staff knowledge and process adherence.

Conclusion

Midsize fabrication and field services companies can successfully achieve AISC certification by partnering with a skilled consultant who understands the importance of flexible project management, tailored solutions, and adapting to the unique needs of the business.

Key Takeaways

Achieving certification requires a strong project foundation, collaboration with a knowledgeable consultant, and the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.

If your company is looking to achieve AISC or other industry certifications, contact Freer Consulting today to see how we can help you succeed.