SEKRI receives International Standards certification

March 18, 2008 09:21 am

— Special to the Times-Tribune
Southeastern Kentucky Rehabilitations Industries, Inc. (SEKRI) celebrated its recent certification from the International Organization for Standardization this week, with special presentations at its Williamsburg, Corbin, Barbourville and Jellico plants.
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a quality management system that requires companies to follow standardized quality procedures. The system helps customers gauge the quality of product they are purchasing.
SEKRI received its ISO 9001:2000 certification from registrar Perry Johnson on Jan. 18.
Prior to receiving certification, the company underwent extensive auditing. Three representatives of Perry Johnson spent 80 hours over a three-day period auditing four of the organization’s seven locations. In order to maintain ISO 9000:2001 certification, SEKRI will undergo regular audits to ensure the quality policy and procedures, put into practice by company employees, are being followed.
“Receiving our ISO 9001:2000 certification allows SEKRI to seek contracts that require this certification. This will assist company executives as we strive to provide employment opportunities for people with severe disabilities in the region,” said Interim Executive Director, Norm Bradley. 
Currently, SEKRI operates seven manufacturing plants in southeastern Kentucky and in Jellico, Tenn. The non-profit organization provides competitive employment for people with severe disabilities and primarily manufactures military clothing and items under government contract.
With the new certification, SEKRI can seek out private contracts as well.
The company currently employs around 700 people producing 18 different products. SEKRI employees make products for U.S. troops, such as protective combat uniforms made for the Special Operations Forces and IFAKs (Improved First Aid Kits). Additionally, SEKRI is one of the leading producers of military caps and hats, manufacturing more than 3.5 million per year.
 “We are very proud of all our employees,” said James McWhorter, director of quality management. “It took effort from everyone to achieve this goal. I know I am proud of our employee commitment to ISO 9001:2000, and I am certain that our employees are proud of their achievement.”
 ISO is the world’s largest developer and publisher of International Standards. ISO is a network of the national standards institutes of some 157 countries, with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system. More than 100 of ISO’s members are from developing countries.
ISO standards are voluntary. As a non-governmental organization, ISO does not regulate or legislate. However, countries may decide to adopt ISO standards as regulations or refer to them in legislation.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.

Photos


Corbin Bypass Plant ?Southeastern Kentucky Rehabilitations Industries, Inc. (SEKRI) received ISO 9001-2000 certification on January 18, 2008. Pictured left to right, first row: Director of Manufacturing, Mark Soles; Director of Quality, James McWhorter; Plant Manager, Delena Mills; Matt Dean; Brian Caroll; Karl Stanton; Charles Saylor; Joyce Johnson; Sherry Middleton; Irene Jones; Bonnie Collett; Jerry Mills; Laura Turpen; second row: Interim Executive Director, Norm Bradley; Debbie Bright; Marlow Napier; Bill Coffey; Michelle Huffman; Judy Estep; Donald Dozier; Beverly Johnson; Delbert Coleman; Betty Smith; Don Hill; Amy Crawford; Marcella Becher; Brandi Hammack; Sandra Becher; Carrie Frazier; Ronnie Holt; Pauline Davis; Jackie Wells; third row: James Swanson; Marjorie Malone; Bryon Anders; Jason Jones; Clifford Cox; Kim Davis; Tammy Hubbard; Kimberly Sampson; Catherine Senters; Dena Senters; Emma Woods; Betty Davis; Ella Gordon; Juanita Mason; Carolyn Warren; Joshua Barnard; Joy Hoskins; Calvin Grubb; David Lowe; Paul Wilson; Brenda Middleton; Lisa Blevins; Susan Smith; fourth row: James Morgan; Sean Smith; Gary Beach; Erika Dinkins; Leonard Warren; Lorretta Dugger; Carolyn Warren; Brenda McCreary; Sandy Hammock; Heather Sanchez; Michelle Smith; Allan Showecker; Naomi Reid; Roy Neiderman; William Brock; Denise West; Loretta Napier; Agnes Anderson; fifth row: Ken Harp; Mark Donaldson; Maurice Rees; Brenda Donaldson; Dorene Gayheart; Gwen Siler; Guy Dugger; Willma McGee; Martha Worley; Norvella Floyd; J.R. Jones; Joshua Barrett; James Merida; Melissa Gilbert; Bula Swank; Nancy Philpot; Glennis Nantz; Angela Stamper; Patsy Stamper; Holly McClure; Marjorie Mills; Betty Lawson; Erica Cruz; Denise Logan; Elias Cruz; Janice Fields; Deanna Wilder; not pictured: Sue Partin, Regina Hammons, Brenda Allen, Brenda Evans, Irene Hubbard, Charles Morgan, Doris Powers, Brandy Roark, Terry Root, Melissa Sanders, Geneva Smith, Derrick Sumner, Sheila Bearden, Angela Childress, Sharo


Corbin Distribution Center ?Southeastern Kentucky Rehabilitations Industries, Inc. (SEKRI) received ISO 9001:2000 certification on January 18, 2008. Pictured left to right, first row: Director of Manufacturing, Mark Soles; Quality Manager, Pat Miller; Corbin Distribution Center Manager, Bryan Brown; Director of Quality, James McWhorter; Interim Executive Director, Norm Bradley; second row: Brad Young; Wayne Creekmore; Virginia Neely; Yvonne Davis; Lena Price; Director of Contract Management, Sue McCulley; Lisa Crigger; third row: Janet Parman; Lois Maiden; Melinda Bingham; Jim Sieg; Scottie Young; Faye Foley; Greta Rains; Director of Rehabilitation Services, Dave Huff; Diane Jones; fourth row: Director of Finance; Joe Murray; Opal Tuttle; Sharon Liford; Sandra Combs; Shane Cornett; James Johnson; Joey Harris; Tracy Reed; fifth row: Purchasing Manager, Tom Grinter; Jose Martinez; Billie Smith; Sherry Mills; Katina Grubb; Harold Ward; Gerald Browning; sixth row: Gary Siler; Chris Hubbard; Larry Rose; Curt Burke; Clay Reeves; Johney Engle; George Caddell; Jerry Hodge; John Vickerstaff. Not pictured: Veronica Reid; Joyce Day; Cecil Scarbourgh; Jim Hood; Jim Crigger; Jim Page; Danny Watkins, Cecil Scarborough


Barbourville Plant ?Southeastern Kentucky Rehabilitations Industries, Inc. (SEKRI) received ISO 9001-2000 certification on January 18, 2008. Pictured left to right, first row: Linda Smith; Director of Quality, James McWhorter; Plant Manager, Darlene Good; second row, left to right: Interim Executive Director, Norm Bradley; Carol Harmon; Christina Cornelius; Janice Cline; Maggie Mills; Valeria Patterson; Carolyn Hensley; Ryan McGaffee; Leasea Thompson; Lois Hubbard; Kim Douglas; third row, left to right: Ann Harkins; Rhonda Hatfield; Jamie Woodlee; George Smith; Freda Mills; Bonnie Jones; Jennifer Mills; Jennifer Smith; Suzanne LeCroy; Helen Miller; Donna Griffin; Michael Bruner; Mark Crawford; Director of Manufacturing, Mark Soles; fourth row: left to right. Justin Tucker; Avery Bryant; Nellie Wheat; Vina Reynolds; Thelma Harris; Michelle Woolum; Darrell Woolum; Margaret Gossett; Michael Williamson; Marietta Smith; Marlene Marcum; Roger Rowe; Jeremy Brock; Steve Buchanan; Sindy Hubbard; Ken Smith.