Mackubin Group Small Firm Achieved ISO 9001 In-House Without Disrupting Operations

Motivation

When a key aerospace customer urged Mackubin to pursue ISO 9001 certification, the small distributor saw a chance to transform opportunity into action. With lean, efficient operations already in place, the goal wasn’t to overhaul processes but to unlock new horizons. “We were a registered supplier, but to bid on production purchase orders, our aerospace client strongly encouraged ISO certification,” said Deb Martinson, President of Mackubin Group. Certification was the key to qualifying for government contracts and Requests for Quotations (RFQs), cementing their status as a trusted production supplier despite their compact team.

Challenges

With a small team of just four employees, a tight budget, and a pressing timeline, Mackubin faced a formidable challenge: building a robust Quality Management System (QMS) from scratch to meet ISO 9001 standards. As a small distributor with no prior QMS, the lean team needed a solution that was comprehensive yet simple, fitting their streamlined operations with minimal effort to avoid diverting focus from ongoing business demands. The goal was clear—achieve certification quickly and efficiently, without the resources for costly consultants, while meeting the expectations of their aerospace customer.

The Solution

After evaluating options, MacKubin chose a cost-effective DIY approach, selecting 9001Simplified’s ISO 9001 Certification Toolkit. “We did our research,” Deb recalls. “The 9001Simplified Toolkit had an impressive success rate, and it looked structured enough for a small business like ours to handle.” Pre-configured for service providers and single-location operations, the toolkit provided user-friendly templates, comprehensive training, and a proven 100% success rate. With support from senior consultant Carl Fallon throughout implementation, the toolkit offered a swift path to certification without the high costs of consultancy.

Implementation Phase

In November 2024, Mackubin Group’s small team of four, led by President Deb Martinson, embarked on their ISO 9001 journey with no prior quality management system to lean on. They began with a month of training, using the 9001Simplified toolkit’s course management dashboard to enroll all employees in an introductory online course, while management was registered for position-specific ISO 9001 training. Deb, as the project leader, enrolled herself in the comprehensive implementer course, which, along with all other courses, was part of the toolkit. “The team was all in,” Deb recalled, “and the training got us excited about what we could achieve.”

By December 2024, the lean team shifted to hands-on work, starting with a team meeting to assign tasks. The toolkit walked the team through every step, starting with a comprehensive assessment of their operations. The gap analysis tool helped them map their processes against ISO requirements, revealing the areas needing tweaks, like customer communication protocols. Team meetings were held to discuss and refine processes that hadn’t been initially considered or that required revisions to align with ISO 9001 requirements.

The toolkit proved instrumental with its user-friendly documents and step-by-step guidance. Customizing the documents and then discussing them during weekly meetings felt straightforward, with Deb noting, “The templates were a lifesaver, keeping ISO from taking over my entire life.” When questions arose during implementation, senior consultant Carl Fallon provided targeted guidance, despite slight delays due to time zones. "Carl understood we didn't need hand-holding," Deb notes. "Just timely answers to keep us moving forward."

What began as a straightforward project hit a snag in January 2025 when their internal auditor resigned mid-process. Undeterred, the remaining three members doubled down redistributing tasks using the toolkit's audit resources and guides, maintaining momentum through regular check-ins. By March 2025, after four months of implementation and internal audits, their Quality Management System was ready for the April audit.

Certification Audit

In April 2025, Mackubin Group faced their ISO 9001 certification audit with Perry Johnson Registrars, a two-day process split between early and late April. Despite Deb Martinson’s lack of audit experience, the small team of three was well-prepared with a thorough understanding of ISO 9001 principles, comprehensive documentation, and their new quality processes fully embedded in daily operations. As the primary contact, Deb showcased their streamlined quality management system, tailored for their lean operations.

The audit revealed no nonconformities, and Mackubin Group earned their ISO 9001 certification in June 2025 on their first attempt. Auditors praised the lean team’s thorough preparation, noting the toolkit’s clear structure set a high standard for small businesses.

Benefits and Outcomes

At the time of writing, only 6 weeks have passed since certification. Since then, Mackubin Group has received positive customer feedback, bolstering their reputation as a reliable distribution company. While sales growth potential is emerging, the certification has already positioned them for new opportunities, with customers valuing their commitment to quality. Deb and her team are now looking forward to the next government procurement for which Mackubin qualifies due to their ISO 9001 certification.

Lessons Learned

Mackubin Group’s 5-month journey to ISO 9001 certification, despite a small team and an unexpected auditor resignation, offers practical lessons for small businesses. The 9001Simplified toolkit’s pre-configured templates and free consultant support enabled their lean team to navigate challenges and achieve success.

These lessons helped Mackubin Group achieve certification in just five months, showing small businesses can succeed with the 9001Simplified toolkit’s cost-effective, user-friendly design.

Your Path to the Same Success

Deb Martinson recommends the 9001Simplified toolkit for its pre-configured templates and free consultant support, which empowered Mackubin Group’s small team to achieve ISO 9001 certification in five months while managing ongoing business obligations. Follow their lead for a straightforward, cost-effective path to certification.

Get the DIY Toolkit that powered their success

Mackubin Group
2491 15th Street NW, New Brighton, MN 55112, USA
https://www.mackubin.com