News
Ternium is First Metal Building Manufacturer Outside of U.S.
to be Accredited under IAS AC 472
Ternium’s facility in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, has become the first company outside of the United States whose inspection program has achieved accreditation under the International Accreditation Service (IAS) AC472 Inspection Program for Manufacturers of Metal Building Systems (AC472).
“Ternium is breaking new ground and leading the way in manufacturing quality products for the South American region. Achieving IAS accreditation of its inspection program provides evidence of Ternium’s ability to manufacture code-compliant metal-building systems,” said Chuck Ramani, IAS President.
IAS accreditation shows Ternium’s commitment to quality, skilled workmanship and customer satisfaction. It is also an example of the organization’s capacity to respond through leadership and employee teamwork. “IAS accreditation of our inspection program for design and production demonstrates to our clients that Ternium will meet their project requirements,” said Rubén Herrera, Ternium’s Director of Quality. “The IAS accreditation process has contributed to Ternium’s operational efficiency,” added Sergio Anguiano, Commercial Manager of Construction for Ternium in Mexico.
The accreditation program is based on the IAS Accreditation Criteria AC472 and requirements in Chapter 17 of the International Building Code (IBC). The program addresses essential requirements necessary for code officials to deem IAS-accredited entities as approved fabricators. AC472 requirements include: inspections of fabrication and engineering design facilities, personnel qualifications, product traceability, process control and the ability to manufacture buildings in accordance with approved plans and technical standards.
IAS verifies compliance of manufacturers with AC472 and the IBC using a combination of document review, onsite assessment of each manufacturing facility by IAS and periodic monitoring by an IAS-accredited inspection agency. Following review of the manufacturer’s documentation of compliance with AC472, IAS conducts onsite assessments to observe and verify engineering practices, welding procedure specifications, welder qualifications and training records, mill test reports, welding machine calibration, welder position charts (continuity log), material storage, in-process and final inspection, traceability, internal auditing, record keeping, equipment maintenance, management review and vendor evaluations. The assessment process also includes interviews of manufacturing personnel involved in production and quality tasks.
In between onsite assessments by IAS, periodic onsite monitoring of each accredited inspection program is conducted by an IAS-accredited inspection agency.
For more information about the IAS Inspection Program for Manufacturers of Metal Building Systems AC472, please visit www.iasonline.org.
Ternium is a leading steel company in Latin America, manufacturing and processing a wide range of flat and long steel products for customers active in the construction, home appliances, capital goods, container, food, energy and automotive industries. With its principal operations in Mexico and Argentina, Ternium serves markets predominately in South America through its integrated manufacturing system and extensive distribution network. The company has an annual production capacity of approximately 9 million tons of finished steel products. More information about Ternium is available at www.ternium.com.
International Accreditation Service (IAS) accredits inspection programs of metal building manufacturers, fabricator inspection programs, testing and calibration laboratories, inspection agencies, building departments and IBC special inspection agencies. A recognized accreditation body since 1975, IAS is a nonprofit, public benefit corporation. IAS is one of the leading accreditation bodies in the United States and a signatory to several international mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs).