Quality

• Quality Introduction
• Quality Policy
• ISO 9001:2000 Certificates
• Drum Fitness Tests

Quality Introduction

Quality is one of the principles that North Coast Container Corp. was founded on. Since its beginning in 1983, North Coast knew that it was going to be measured on the quality of steel containers it produced. Quality in all aspects of our business is intrinsic to our long-term success.

In 1994 North Coast refined its quality management system to better satisfy the needs of our customers and improve the management of the company. The ISO 9000 (www.iso.org) process is an international standard based on quality management principles. Our adoption of this quality management system provides our customers confidence that our company's manufacturing procedures will conform to domestic and international standards.

Since 1995 North Coast's Quality Management System (QMS) has been certified in the ISO 9000 standard. Our ISO 9001:2000 certification is valid through December 2007. NCCC maintains accreditation from both ANAB (www.anab.org) and UKAS (www.ukas.com). Our trading partners are assured that NCCC manufactures the highest quality steel shipping containers employing the most modern international quality standards.

Quality Policy

(from Page 3 of North Coast Container Corp.'s Quality Manual, 31 May 2002)

It is the policy of North Coast Container Corp. to evolve with continuous improvement, the production, testing and delivery of the highest quality steel drums in conformance with customer and applicable government specifications.

We will achieve this through research of the best available materials, the most advanced technical methods and the practical utilization of statistical process control. Our documented quality process at North Coast Container Corp. is based upon the ISO-9001:2000 International Quality System Standard.

The process will include specifications for all purchased materials, rigid control of all phases of production, documented operating procedures in all areas of the business, and the ongoing training of our employees.

The outcome of our efforts will ensure profitability and competitiveness in our continued long-term goal of unmatched quality and service in the industry.

ISO 9001:2000 Certificates

Copies of our ISO 9001:2000 Certificates are available upon request. You may also view them online.

Drum Fitness Tests

Throughout the manufacturing process, quality control tests and procedures are performed to assure that the steel containers meet or exceed North Coast, customer, and regulatory requirements. Our rigorous processes are applied to the raw materials, manufacturing, and finished product. The tests performed include:

Raw materials:

• Bar-coding of raw materials for identification and traceability
• Dimensional and hardness tests of cold-rolled steel

Manufacturing:

• Weld tests for uniform heat pattern of shells
• Flange tests for correct configuration and proper triple seaming
• Laser light orientation and pressure tests of shell side-seam
• Computer controlled cleaning system and titration tests for proper solution mixture
• Test verification of lining cure, thickness, adhesion, chemical and impact resistance
• Test verification of 7 ply chime with test cuts on container head and bottom.
• Pressure test of assembled shell, head, & bottom

Finished Product:

• Rinse testing
• Hydrostatic testing
• Drop testing
• Vibration testing
• Vacuum testing