MONTVILLE, N.J., Aug. 16, 2011 -- /PRNewswire/ -- AST® Bearings, a leading supplier of high precision bearings and related products, received its AS9100 Rev C. Certificate on August 12, 2011 after an extensive analysis of its quality systems by Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc. According to IAQG's Online Aerospace Supplier Information System (OASIS) database, AST Bearings was the first bearing company in the world to earn its AS9100 Rev C certification.

AS9100 is the quality management system (QMS) standard for the aviation, space, and defense industries. It is governed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) of SAE International (not ISO). However, the overall 9100 quality standard is based on ISO 9001, adding requirements specific to the aviation, space and defense industry, while striving to meet the needs of stakeholders and move forward the IAQG strategy. The goal of the IAQG is to improve product quality and on-time delivery of products. They do this through the cooperative implementation of initiatives intended to make significant improvements in quality and reductions in cost throughout the value stream.

AS9100 Rev B - Not Valid After June 2012

Released in January of 2009, AS 9100 Rev. C (sometimes called AS9100:2009) is the fourth and very latest release of the standard set by the SAE International. Of note: Unless a company complies with the more rigorous Revision C requirements by July 1, 2012, their existing AS9100 certification (AS9100 Rev B or sometimes referred to AS9100:2004) will no longer be valid.

Reasons why the AS9100 Standard was changed:

There were many reasons the old version AS9100:2004 (Rev B) had to be changed. Among them were:

Expansion of scope statement to include "Aviation, Space and Defense";

Changes to the design specification;

Greater focus on planning and project management; and additional emphasis on risk management and mitigation.

ISO 9001:2008 changes have also been incorporated.

Addition of new term "Special requirements" – are requirements identified by the customer or requirements which have high risk to the organization.

Addition of new term "Critical Items" – are for example processes, characteristics, parts and software which have significant impact on the product realization & use of product.

Key Components of AS9100 Rev C for AST:

AS9100 Rev C provides a number of requirements that must be fulfilled to achieve customer satisfaction through products and services which meet customer expectations. This includes a requirement for planned and continual improvement of the Quality Management System. Specifically for AST, key components of their quality policy require:

Deploying and maintaining a compliant AS9100 Rev. C Quality Management System;
Understanding and conforming to customer requirements;
Verified customer satisfaction;
Continuous improvement.

Top-Down Commitment to Quality and Improvement:

Dale Kaminski, Chief Executive Officer at AST Bearings, commented on the company's recent AS9100 Rev C. certification. "AST has always had a commitment to quality," says Kaminski. "This is a core value for AST that permeates every level of our company from senior management on down. Each and every one of us at AST Bearings is committed to delivering quality products with outstanding reliability along with the very best service and support. Our new AS9100 Rev C. certification is yet another example of our company providing 'value beyond the part'. For our customers, it represents further assurance that when they purchase a product from AST, they are investing in a superior product backed by an organization that stands behind everything it sells."

About AST Bearings LLC:

Founded in 1963, AST® Bearings is an ISO 9001:2008 / AS9100 Rev C. certified company and a value-added supplier of a wide selection of precision bearings and services. The company maintains an extensive inventory of superior quality ball bearings, bushings, rod ends, roller bearings, and linear bushing bearings, custom cost efficient mechanical sub-assemblies and much more. AST maintains two warehouses to ensure availability and "just-in-time" delivery to customers across the US and internationally. AST also provides inventory management services, expert engineering and design services, in addition to failure analyses and re-lubrication services in clean rooms with Class-100 workbenches at its headquarters in Montville, New Jersey. For additional information, visit the company online at: www.ASTBearings.com.

Trademark Information:

"AST" is a registered trademark and "Value Beyond the Part" is a trademark of AST Bearings LLC.

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