Republic Engineered Products, Inc.’s Lorain, Ohio, operation has received certification to the ISO/TS 16949:2000 quality specification.

The scope of the certification includes Republic's Fairlawn headquarters and the quality verification line (QVL) and quality planning functions in Canton. Republic's Lorain facility includes both steelmaking and bar mill operations.

"ISO/TS 16949 emphasizes customer focus and continuous improvement," said Joseph F. Lapinsky, President and CEO. "Our certification to ISO/TS 16949 demonstrates our continuing commitment to providing quality SBQ products to the automotive industry. It also shows that our processes are effectively addressing our customers' requirements for quality and consistency."

The ISO/TS 16949 specification, which is replacing QS 9000, specifies the quality system requirements for the design/development and production of automotive products. ISO/TS 16949 was developed by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) in conjunction with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Daimler-Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, each Republic customers, are requiring their suppliers achieve certification to ISO/TS 16949. Republic expects the remainder of its operations to be certified to ISO/TS 16949 by mid-2006.

Republic Engineered Products, Inc. is a leading North American supplier of special bar quality (SBQ) steel. With headquarters in Fairlawn, Ohio, the privately owned company operates steelmaking centers in Canton and Lorain, Ohio, and value-added rolling and finishing facilities in Canton, Lorain and Massillon, Ohio; Lackawanna, N.Y.; Gary, Ind.; and Hamilton, Ont. Republic employs approximately 2500 people.