Abstract

In 2006, the Bosch Corporation acquired Minnesota-based Telex Communications, Inc., a supplier to the aerospace industry. This business became known as Bosch Communications Systems. Boeing, a key customer for Bosch Communications’ aviation headsets, issued a requirement for all suppliers to become certified to AS9100, the international quality management system standard for the aerospace industry. To satisfy Boeing’s requirement, Bosch Communications launched an ambitious initiative to achieve dual AS9100/ISO 9001 certification in less than one year. Bosch contracted with ASQ to provide AS9100 lead auditor and internal auditor training to educate a crossfunctional team about the standard and prepare them for the auditing process. In October 2008, just 11 months after launching its certification effort, Bosch earned both AS9100 and ISO 9001 certification.