GMC soybean plant gets ISO certification

General Milling Corp. received this week the prestigious ISO 9001: 2000 certification for its soybean milling division. Certifying body SGS Philippines, Inc. through its managing director David Robinson presented the certification to GMC at the Batangan Plaza in Batangas City. The ceremony was attended by Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas and Batangas City Mayor Eddie Dimacuha.

GMC, whose soybean plant is located in Tabangao, Batangas, is the first soybean milling facility in the country to attain ISO 9001 registration and is also one of about 80 companies in the country to pass the 2000 version.

ISO is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies in more than 130 countries. ISO 9001, one of the several standards published by ISO is only awarded to companies that implement a well-rounded quality management system (QMS), one that focuses mainly on customer satisfaction.

GMC delivers high-quality soybean meal and oil to the country’s feed milling, food manufacturing and industrial businesses. Included in the company’s ISO-certified clientele are Kraft Foods Philippines and Unilever-CMC, which presented their Best Supplier award to GMC.

GMC embarked on the ISO 9001 registration as part of its continuing quality program. Executive director for operations Romeo P. Sangalang took charge of company efforts to achieve this new level of operations. The ISO 9001 procedures put in place as a result of this effort will help GMC extend its industry-leading reputation for quality.

"Certainly this is another milestone for GMC proving that we are capable of meeting international standards," Sangalang said. He added that other GMC locations are following suit as all manufacturing operations in Luzon and Lapu-Lapu are currently undergoing quality management system installation.