Certification Europe Beats the Recession by Helping its Clients do the Same

Significant, rapid increases in numbers of new customers, year-to-year expansion in new markets; those are two trends every business wants to report. They are precisely the positive business indicators that Certification Europe has achieved, growing its international certification services through the addition of new clients in new international markets. More significantly, Certification Europe’s growth is occurring in markets that continue to be challenged by a lagging global economy.

“Our business growth in Japan is a terrific indicator of success in a tough economy,” says Michael Brophy, CEO of Certification Europe. In the last two months, Certification Europe’s Japanese client-base has grown 10% adding 20 new clients in just five weeks. “We opened our office in Japan just 8 years ago and have seen continual, sustained growth over that time.”  Certification Europe is also experiencing growth in the UK, Italy, Turkey, and the US.

Certification Europe provides certification and training services in the fields of Quality Management (ISO 9001), Environmental Management (ISO 14001), Health & Safety (OHAS 18001), IT Service Management (ISO 20000-1), Information Security (ISO 27001) and Energy Management (IS 393 / EN 16001). Those certifications are critical to companies seeking every possible advantage in markets that have become increasingly competitive as consumers tighten their belts.

According to Brophy, Certification Europe’s business continues to prosper behind two key advantages. “First, we bring an incredibly experienced and competent staff to every engagement. Second, we work with companies as clients, not as inspectors with prescribed methods of meeting standards. We work to understand the client’s business operation and let them demonstrate that standards are being met. It’s important that our clients meet standards in a way that works for their business in their market.”

Heiroku Sushi, one of the largest chains of Kaiten Sushi restaurants in Japan, is just one example of a company that used Certification Europe services to business advantage. In Japan, sushi is a favorite staple and competition is stiff. Documented high quality is an important differentiator. Certification Europe certified Heiroku for ISO9001 Quality Management. Now, as Heiroku adds to its chain of 113 restaurants inside and outside Japan (two restaurants have opened in Thailand), the publicised certification sets the company apart from competitors that have not achieved the same high standards.

Brophy points out that Heiroku Sushi presented a cultural challenge that Certification Europe was quick to recognise and dispel. “In Japan, where chief executives tend to be in their 60s or 70s, I was seen as very young. I was in my 30s at the time. The experience and expertise that we brought to that engagement made us very welcome regardless of our ages or the place we’re from. What we do is beneficial to businesses around the world.”

To meet growing international demand, Certification Europe has opened a new office every year for the last three years. The company is currently located in Ireland, Italy, Turkey, and Japan. A fifth office is set to open in 2011. “We’re ready to meet the global market requirement for certification,”  says Brophy. “Whether certification is needed by a printer in Poland, pharmaceutical company in the United States, software developer in Italy, or sushi restaurant chain in Japan, we can help.”

About Certification Europe

Certification Europe is an Irish based, internationally focused, impartial certification, training and inspection body. Headquartered in Dublin, they provide audit, certification and training services in the fields of Quality, Environmental, Health & Safety, Energy Management, Information Security Management, IT Service Management, TickIT and E-signatures (EU Directive). Certification Europe is accredited by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) and by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).