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16th January, 2009
The PFA Research Team
Bodmin-based market research company PFA Research has been formally recognised for its excellent service with the award of an international quality standard.
PFA (www.pfa-research.com) has been working towards the ISO9001 standard for market research activities over the past year and was awarded the benchmark in December.
For the company, it represents more than just a qualification – it’s an award which celebrates PFA’s focus on customer care and quality service.
Managing director Robert Rush said: “We are extremely proud to have achieved this benchmark.
“We now have a certified quality management system in place and our specific practices set down in writing which ensures we deliver what we say we will deliver to our customers.
“Through working for this standard, we also improved on other areas of practice, so now we always look to see how we can do better.”
The process started when Martin Hockaday, who joined PFA under the Unlocking Cornish Potential scheme, undertook an audit of how the company was structured and what was required to achieve the standard.
The company also worked with Robert Meldrum of Quality Aspects in St Austell, who guided the team through the procedure of gaining ISO9001.
PFA also included the requirements of ISO20252 in the management system, the quality standard designed specifically for market research practitioners. The system has already helped PFA Research to secure a tender by describing how the firm ensures competency amongst its researchers.
Mr Rush adds: ”For many years, we thought we were unable to apply the ISO9001 standard to a company of our type. In fact it’s the opposite – we have much to gain.
“We tender for a lot of public sector contracts and are increasingly finding that the pre-qualification process is asking for a certified quality management system in place.”
PFA Research has also re-launched its website – www.pfa-research.com. The site helps visitors find out more about the company plus an area where clients can log in and check project progress.