JT Fennell How Self-Implemented ISO 9001 Unified Two Facilities & Boosted Sales

Motivation

J.T. Fennell faced increasing pressure from customers to obtain ISO 9001 certification, which had become a prerequisite for bidding on a growing number of projects. ISO, often considered for its marketing advantages, had become a necessity for the company to remain competitive in the steel fabrication industry. Additionally, the certification would serve as confirmation that their business processes were as effective and efficient as possible, although this was a secondary consideration when executive management committed to ISO 9001.

The Challenge

J.T. Fennell faced a complex dual challenge: integrating two geographically separate facilities (Chillicothe and Peoria) into a single, unified Quality Management System (QMS) while driving organization-wide buy-in from their dedicated workforce. Beyond meeting ISO 9001’s technical requirements, they needed to:

The Solution

When J.T. Fennell approached 9001Simplified in early 2019, their vision was clear: ISO 9001 certification achieved through internal ownership, not external direction. As President Ty Fennell emphasized: "It is better for a company to achieve without being directed or steered by an outsider. More ownership."

After evaluating their dual-site challenge and employee-focused culture, we recommended our ISO 9001 Certification Toolkit – a comprehensive DIY solution preconfigured for "multi-site operations." This allowed for efficient blending of localized processes with centralized oversight, and employee buy-in across both facilities through built-in staff training. The toolkit wasn’t just documentation; it was a tailored framework for autonomy that aligned perfectly with their goals.

The Implementation Phase

Putting philosophy into practice, President Ty Fennell and Senior Project Manager Russ Snyder personally spearheaded a dedicated 7-member team in late 2019. Their hands-on leadership signaled that ISO 9001 was mission-critical – not a side project.

The team immediately leveraged the toolkit’s pre-built training presentations, conducting sessions across both Chillicothe and Peoria facilities. This focused not just on rules, but on how a unified quality system would strengthen the company – and every employee’s role within it. Skepticism faded as staff recognized tangible benefits, turning potential resistance into genuine commitment.

Empowered by the step-by-step guides and multi-site templates, the team systematically documented processes, ensuring essential consistency between locations while intelligently adapting workflows where local nuances mattered.

Crucially, they maintained cherished autonomy. Though assigned a senior consultant (Carl Fallon), contact was intentionally minimal – limited to occasional progress validation. The toolkit’s training and detailed instructions enabled full self-sufficiency.

Remarkably, within just three months, their commitment bore significant fruit: A robust internal audit program was live, powered by four newly trained internal auditors who completed the toolkit's online ISO 9001:2015 Auditor Training. Rather than racing to certification, J.T. Fennell used these internal audits deliberately as a tool to refine their system and share best practices organically across sites. This patient, improvement-focused approach became ingrained in their quality culture.

The Certification Audit

In September 2020, J.T. Fennell’s self-implemented system faced its ultimate validation: a rigorous 5-day certification audit by global registrar DQS Inc., covering both Chillicothe and Peoria facilities.

The result? A resounding first-attempt success. On September 23, 2020, they achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification – proving their ownership model worked. As Ty Fennell noted: "Achieving certification through our own team’s dedication confirmed what we believed: Internal ownership drives lasting quality."

The Results

For J.T. Fennell, ISO 9001 certification was never just paperwork – it was the key to unlocking new markets. Securing accreditation on September 23, 2020, immediately opened doors to bids previously beyond reach. The business impact was undeniable: within months, they saw significant sales growth and an expanded customer base – results that far outweighed the investment in certification.

Beyond revenue, the true victory emerged in their operations. The implementation process spotlighted strengths and weaknesses across both facilities, leading to tangible refinements. Production sequences were streamlined from end to end, cutting delivery times and embedding quality into daily workflows rather than audit cycles.

Most powerfully, their self-built system proved a core truth: ownership drives accountability. By choosing internal implementation over external direction, J.T. Fennell didn’t just earn a certificate – they forged a culture where every employee champions quality.

Your Path to the Same Success

If you’re a manufacturer facing customer pressure to certify, operational silos across locations, or untapped revenue behind ISO 9001 bids – follow J.T. Fennell’s lead. Prove what internal ownership can achieve.

Get the DIY Toolkit that powered their success

J.T. Fennell Co., Inc.
1104 N Front St, Chillicothe, IL 61523, USA
https://jtfennell.com