Operation receives API 6A Product License and certification to API Q1 & ISO 9001
Stream-Flo Argentina has reached a significant milestone, receiving approval from API to be authorized to apply the API Monogram to the products we manufacture at our facility in Neuquén following a jolt of good news late last week.
After successful completion of API Q1, ISO 9001, and API 6A certification audits in late May, Stream-Flo Group Director of Corporate Quality Vick Mehta received official confirmation from the American Petroleum Institute (API) last Friday authorizing the facility to begin using the API Monogram and APIQR marks.
Mehta says the achievement is particularly noteworthy as the facility successfully completed the certification audit with ZERO audit findings — an exceptional result for a new facility certification that reflects the team’s leadership and commitment to quality.
The audit assessed the facility’s Quality Management System for compliance with API requirements covering the manufacture and repair of API 6A products, including Wellhead components, Gate Valves, Chokes, Surface Safety Valves (SSVs), and Actuators. The audit team was highly complimentary of the Quality Management System (QMS) implemented at the facility and our strong design capabilities.
“This accomplishment is especially impressive considering that most of our Argentina team members do not speak English, making the implementation of quality management system particularly challenging,” Mehta noted. “I sincerely thank the Stream-Flo Argentina Leadership Team and all employees for their dedication, engagement, active participation and commitment throughout this process. This achievement would not be possible without the hard work and tireless efforts of TC Gowender and Cecilia Sanchez in facilitating the QMS implementation.”
Rick Miko, Cecilia Sanchez, and TC Gowender in Argentina during the API certification audit. (Vick Mehta)
‘A huge achievement’
Stream-Flo Argentina Country Manager Eduardo Riccieri says the audit success represents a great team effort and one that is made all the more impressive given how they must handle documentation.
“It is a huge achievement for Argentina because, remember, we do not have SAP or any kind of system,” explained the country manager. “We are working with Excel files and paper folders.”
Given that, Riccieri says his group has been extremely well prepared and organized and the API 6A and other certification audits are a testament to that.
“Everyone played a role, everyone had a target and all of them, all the departments, reached their targets and did the job that we needed to do,” said Riccieri.
With Riccieri giving special thanks to Mehta, Gowender, and Rick Miko for all their support leading up to and during the audit process, and Stream-Flo Argentina QA Leader Cecilia Sanchez and her team for all the hard work they put in to secure such a fantastic result, Riccieri likened the whole experience to something anyone familiar with taking finals can relate to.
Cecilia Sanchez, far left in the foreground, leads a QMS awareness town hall meeting at our Neuquén facility. (Vick Mehta)
“This audit is like an exam, you are scared to death before and when you pass you are more than happy,” shared Riccieri. “This result, the outcome was way better than everyone expected.”
Naturally, much like after final exams, some celebration was in order after our Argentina team got the good audit news.
The group went out for a celebratory dinner to mark the occasion and exhale after what had been a year-long buildup to the actual five-day audit with lots of overtime put in to achieve the result they did.
Lots of smiles and fun were had as Team Argentina and their API audit support crew celebrated the successful conclusion of the five-day inspection at the end of May. (Eduardo Riccieri)
But as Riccieri says, the great achievement notwithstanding, this is really just the first step for our Argentina group as they set this new benchmark.
“Now that we have reached this stage, we cannot lower our performance because we need to keep the certificate alive,” explained Riccieri. “We are going to be audited every year so we cannot relax, this is a complete change of scope for Argentina.”
Three big benefits
That change of scope brings with it three key benefits, says Riccieri.
First, it entrenches the legitimacy and quality of our Argentine operations in a way that can be further marketed to potential customers in the region. Second, with them now being able to stamp their own products and conduct the testing needed to monogram pieces in Neuquén, lead times will be reduced. Which has a knock-on effect for the third major benefit, which is enabling further supply chain efficiency.
But biggest of all, says Riccieri, is the mindset change these critical certifications will put in place for our Argentina operations.
“Everything is aligned on a standard,” said Riccieri, adding that will aid them as they seek to achieve further certifications. “When the people realize that having a procedure helps you to work, it’s a great goal, because the proper methodology helps you achieve results.”
Results such as the stellar API Q1, ISO 9001, and API 6A audits, and the future success these certifications augur.
Our facility in Neuquén, Argentina is now authorized to use the API Monogram and APIQR marks, a major milestone for our operations in the country. (Eduardo Riccieri)
Outstanding audit results across the Stream-Flo Group
The success in Argentina was part of an exceptional audit season for the Stream-Flo Group of Companies.
In addition to Stream-Flo Argentina’s historic API 6A Monogram License achievement, Mehta, the Stream-Flo Group Director of Corporate Quality, announced outstanding audit results across multiple facilities.
Master Flo Edmonton successfully completed its API audit with zero findings, while Stream-Flo Edmonton concluded its audit with just one minor finding — the best API audit result ever achieved by the facility.
“The outstanding results across Argentina and Edmonton facilities reflects the dedication, and commitment to quality demonstrated by its leadership team and employees across the organization,” said Mehta. “Stream-Flo Group of Companies’ continued commitment to excellence in regulatory compliance and continual improvement of the effectiveness of our Quality Management Systems remains a steadfast priority.”
Congratulations to everyone whose hard work and commitment made this one of the most successful audit seasons in the company’s history.