GO! still certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001

Recertification concluded successfully – audit process under coronavirus restrictions

 

GO! is and will remain certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001: within the framework of a successful recertification audit, the courier and provider of express delivery services had the effectiveness of its implemented quality management system certified under the provisions of DIN EN ISO 9001:2015. The certificate issued by DNV GL Business Assurance Zertifizierung und Umweltgutachter GmbH in Essen – part of one of the world’s leading certification companies – is valid for a period of three years (until August 2023). It not only applies to GO! stations, but also includes the head office in Bonn and the central hub in Niederaula as well as comprising all express and courier service products and the range of additional services offered. This attests that the GO! quality management system (short: QMS) meets the requirements of international transport solutions, of special shipping contents such as hazardous goods and of industry-specific transports (here: in particular the shipping of pharmaceutical products).

For Ulrich Nolte, CEO of GO! Germany, this audit is an important tool for quality assurance: ‘A quality management system is an important building block for comprehensive modern management. It lays the foundation for an organisation that learns and improves itself on an ongoing basis – whether for ourselves, for our customers or for our service providers and partners. We not only stand for the reliability of our services, but we also consciously invest in our own sustainable development. This ensures our ability to compete in the market in the future and, at the same time, is an expression of our responsibility towards customers and partners.’

Since 2002, the GO! quality management system has been certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001, which is recognised worldwide. Within the framework of this year’s audit process, the GO! stations, the head office in Bonn and the central hub in Niederaula (Hesse) were audited – a challenge for all parties involved in light of the coronavirus pandemic. ‘The entire audit took place under special conditions,’ explains Ulrich Nolte. ‘Because, even after the end of the lock-down, we are still following the preventive measures for the coronavirus in light of the restrictions which are (once again) in effect in many places around the world.’ So no hint of normality. But, together with the Essen branch of DNV GL, we were able to find solutions: instead of on-site appointments, GO! took comprehensive measures to enable remote audits to be carried out conclusively. Thanks to modern technology, access to documents, processes and even the facilities can be granted remotely.

‘From the perspective of GO!, the certification issued in August is a double success: on the one hand because the audit was able to take place at all and, on the other hand, because our quality management system was once again successfully evaluated.’ And ultimately this is expressed in the form of the highest performance rates and the lowest damage rates: GO! is thus a premium service provider and quality leader in the CEP market.

 

Quality standards assured

DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 is a nationally and internationally recognised standard for quality management. In Ulrich Nolte’s opinion, this makes an impact both internally and externally: ‘The establishment of a quality management system tailored to our individual services and the ongoing audit and optimisation creates a broad general awareness within the company for the importance of quality standards – and provides for the corresponding level of commitment. These standards are an expression of our corporate philosophy and firmly anchored in the GO! DNA.’ He continues: ‘All of the more than 100 GO! stations have committed themselves to complying with the GO! principles as a binding value benchmark of our corporate culture.’

The regular review in the form of internal as well as external audits offers many advantages in the opinion of the GO! Germany CEO: greater efficiency thanks to clear and stable processes as well as greater security and process stability thanks to avoiding errors. Additionally, employees are motivated due to their active involvement in internal processes through communication, information and regular training – just to name a few of the advantages. Externally – that is, in the market – the recertification is a must-have in order to remain competitive. ‘Together, all of this forms the foundation for an improved image and commercial security thanks to the certification.’