INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. and WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. (May 2, 2007) — A leading international certifying body recently certified two Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC (FSIP) facilities to the global quality management system standard ISO/TS 16949.

           ISO/TS 16949 is an international technical specification reflecting the global quality system requirements of the original equipment (OE) automotive industry. It is also recognized and supported by the heavy duty OE truck industry.

           “Firestone supplies air springs to automotive and truck customers around the world, so we are committed to meeting the requirements of the international ISO/TS 16949 standard and certification by an independent registrar, such as LRQA,” said Roger Noll, Quality Manager, FSIP Quality Assurance Division. “This certification demonstrates our continuing efforts to improve our quality management system and, in turn, provide the highest quality products to our customers.”

           Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) North America certified FSIP’s Williamsburg, Ky., location, which manufactures and assembles various types of air springs, and the Indianapolis, Ind., division office, which coordinates design, purchasing and contract functions. LRQA North America is a member of the U.K.-based Lloyd's Register Group, an independent risk management organization that was founded in 1760.

            The ISO/TS 16949 standard succeeded the Big Three automotive manufacturers’ QS 9000, which was discontinued in December 2006.