One year after achieving AS9120 B certification through UKAS accredited certification body Auva, Lebronze Alloys UK (LBA UK), stands as a shining example of how AS 9120 B implementation can drive growth and success in the competitive aerospace distribution sector.
LBA UK chose to pursue AS9120 B certification as part of their business strategy to target aerospace companies and improve internal processes with the aim to secure new clients and increase its market share in the sector. It recognised that AS9120 B would provide a competitive advantage and also streamline the auditing process when working with potential new accounts.
Richard Monkton, Managing Director at LBA UK and Sales Director, High Performance Bars and Specials, at Lebronze Alloys Group said: “We opted for AS9120 B approval as it aligned perfectly with our growth strategy. The certification has not only eased our administrative burden but also opened doors to new opportunities. Additionally, we used the LBA UK site as a ‘test site’ to evaluate the success prior to rolling out a similar strategy within our extended service centres within the Lebronze Alloys Group.”
Achieving AS9120 B ensures distributors can demonstrate their commitment to delivering quality products, mitigating risks, and enhancing customer satisfaction. The implementation was a straightforward process with Auva, which was also supported by LBA UK’s external advisors Brennan Management Systems and involved detailed process improvements, the development of new KPI’s, the creation of automated reporting tools, and the alignment of the senior management team and all site personnel.
Richard continued: “We were very impressed with the Auva team in relation to their approach and reactivity. They made us feel like they were part of our team in the process, they were very stringent whilst undertaking the audit, whilst always maintaining a level of personal connection.”
Over the last 12 months, there has been a very positive impact on the business on multiple levels!
The company’s monthly invoiced turnover surged by around 60% over the year, representing a substantial increase in revenue. This financial success has been accompanied by a marked increase in new customers, with 38 new customers added in 2024 alone, compared to 4 in 2020 and 9 in 2021. LBA UK has also seen an expansion in its export business, particularly in the aerospace sector, which now comprises approx 50% of the company’s total operations.
In addition, LBA UK made numerous internal improvements. The need to have additional KPIs gave LBA UK the opportunity to develop an automated toolkit for collating and presenting KPI’s allowing more time on improvement activities rather than just reporting. This included a focus on key metrics/KPI’s and specific management measures that had not considered before.
Michael Venner, Auva’s Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to have supported LBA UK in securing AS 9120 B certification. It’s rewarding to see how this achievement has directly contributed to their success in acquiring new clients and expanding their business. Their team was a pleasure to work with.”
Building on the success of AS 9120 B certification, LBA UK is now working towards ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications with Auva, to complement its existing ISO 9001 certification, highlighting their ongoing commitment to quality, sustainability and OHS.
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