Home | About Florida MEP | Upcoming Events | Success Stories | Partners & Resources | News | Board of Directors Contact Us | Enterprise Transformation | Performance Based Training | Supply Chain Management | Innovation Florida MEP Assists CF Machine and Tool, Inc., in Obtaining ISO 9001:2000 Certification Jacksonville, FL - CF Machine and Tool, founded in 1986 by Earl and Cindy Hildebrand, is a leading outsource for manufacturing in the southeastern market. The company has built an enviable reputation for high quality and service. They utilize state-of-the-art automated machining equipment, manual machines, and a highly skilled and experienced twelve-person, production team, to fabricate parts according to their client's specifications. Quality and precision are the primary objective. CF Machine and Tool is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and employs 15 people. CF Machine and Tool recognized the need for a method to define their quality objectives and drive continuous improvement in order to take their processes to a higher level and to enable them to gain market share and sustain their competitiveness. It was becoming apparent that more and more quotes were requiring ISO 9001:2000 certification. Through a recommendation by a local manufacturer, CF Machine and Tool contacted the Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Florida MEP), a NIST MEP network affiliate, to assist them in pursuing this goal. Florida MEP staff prepared an implementation plan tailored to CF Machine and Tool's specific needs. Training included on-site classroom training, in-plant training sessions and on-the-job training modules. A management overview was conducted with the CF Machine and Tool process team which resulted in an approved project plan. Florida MEP staff worked with CF Machine and Tool process leaders to identify appropriate teams members who would address process steps, tasks and the documents needed for registration. A Quality Manual was developed which identified their unique business processes. The Florida MEP is an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the U.S. Department of Commerce. The national MEP is a network of manufacturing extension centers that provide business and technical assistance to smaller manufacturers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Through MEP, manufacturers have access to more than 2000 manufacturing and business "coaches" whose job is to help firms make changes that lead to greater productivity, increased profits, and enhanced global competitiveness. For more information on the Florida MEP program call 1-800-MEP-4MFG.