Glaverbel Czech manufactures high quality glass for the construction and automotive industries, while at the same time making a point to respect its employees and the environment. Glaverbel Czech began implementing single quality, work safety, and environmental management systems at various company locations in 1994, and earned its first internationally recognised certification in 1996. Driven by innovation and excellence, Glaverbel Czech wanted to go even further. The challenge was to consistently increase product excellence as well as implementing environmental friendliness and employee health and safety throughout the company: the business’ headquarters and six production plants. 

To help start the project, Glaverbel Czech selected Bureau Veritas  Certification because of its international network and expertise in combined management systems. Bureau Veritas Certification presented existing best practices in integrated certification to Glaverbel Czech managers, who then developed their own strategic plan.  Centralising communication practices was key to integrate management systems.  For Glaverbel Czech, this meant grouping procedures for several standards:  ISO 9001: 2000 (quality management), ISO 14001:2004 (environmental protection), GHGs (greenhouse gas emissions), OSHAS 18001:1999 (workplace health & safety), and ISO/TS 16949:2202 (quality specific to automotive glass production).  Each standard included a comprehensive list of requirements, which Glaverbel Czech organised into 4 categories:  management, customer relation, support, and special topics.  Glaverbel Czech consolidated all instructions and necessary materials, such as forms, risk registries, etc., on a company intranet available to employees.  These are now accessible throughout the entire company, and employees must follow the internal instructions that are linked to each requirement. The integrated management allowed Bureau Veritas Certification to audit all standards in only one trip per site - Glaverbel Czech’s headquarters plus 6 production plants - whereas previously, each location underwent multiple inspections per year. To assure that regular progress is made in using this system, Bureau Veritas Certification conducts annual follow-up verifications.

The combined system allows Glaverbel Czech to yield a 40% cost savings in audits’ execution. The intranet-centralised communication processes ensure that all workers follow the same instructions. This builds consistency in how employees work within the management standards and in the company’s track record as regards product quality, workplace safety, and environmental impact. Earning internationally recognised certifications from an external auditor such as Bureau Veritas increases Glaverbel Czech’s credibility vis-à-vis business partners, and demonstrates its ability to satisfy customer requirements.