Corporate Press Release

Handling Specialty Earns QS-9000 / Tooling & Equipment Supplement Registration

(Grimsby, ON   January 22, 2002)  On December 5, 2001, Handling Specialty’s Grimsby, Ontario facility received registration for the QS-9000 / Tooling & Equipment (TE) Supplement.  According to Dennis Parass, President of Handling Specialty, “This company has always prided itself on its willingness to take on new challenges in order to increase the satisfaction level of our clients. By meeting the rigorous demands of the QS-9000 / TE Supplement, we prove our commitment to world class quality standards.”

Handling Specialty previously achieved ISO 9001 registration in 1996.  Planning and preparation for the TE Supplement began in April 2001 with registration achieved in only 8 months.  According to Paul Smith, Quality Manager, strong project planning and management plus a thorough employee training program were essential for success.

The QS-9000 / TE Supplement is a quality standard developed for Tier 1 companies that produce tooling and equipment for the Big Three automakers.  This standard is more rigorous than the ISO 9001 standard as it requires extensive product and process analysis and a structured planning and problem solving approach.  The use of these tools and disciplines ensures the highest levels of equipment reliability and maintainability. 

Handling Specialty typically supplies engineered-to-order lifting equipment to Tier 1 material handling suppliers to the automotive industry.  In some cases, Handling Specialty supplies custom lifts directly to automakers.  Achievement of the QS9000 / TE Supplement demonstrates Handling Specialty’s commitment to being supplier of choice for custom lifting equipment in the automotive sector.

About Handling Specialty
Handling Specialty engineers and manufactures state-of-the-art custom lifting solutions for North American clients in a variety of industries including Automotive, Entertainment, Aerospace, Transportation, Metals Processing, and Advanced Manufacturing.  Automotive applications include, but are not limited to:  skillet lifts, skid stacker-destacker systems, marriage lifts, AGV lifts, and lifts for use in assembly and paint line operations.  Please visit www.handling.com for additional information on our custom solutions.   Handling Specialty facilities are located in Grimsby, Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York.

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For further information contact:

Kelly Chadwick, x244
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kchadwick@handling.com
1-800-559-8366