Environmental Controls
The most important function of an electroplating company is the treatment of the waste water. Since our start in 1961, we have taken this aspect of our business more seriously than any other and, without question, we meet or exceed the federal, state and local requirements for our industry. Both the Conestee and Mauldin facilities have state of the art automated waste treatment operations and since 2000 we have been the recipient of the Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority’s annual Compliance Award.
Since 2001 our company has been compliant to the ISO 14001 environmental standard. This International Standard requires RMF to identify the significant aspects of our operation and determine their potential impacts on the environment. For us an obvious aspect that impacts our environment is our use of water – so each year we target to recycle more of our water. Thus far in 2008, we are recycling more than 35% of our water. The ISO 14001 system is similar to the ISO 9000 Quality Management standard in terms of documenting procedures, work instructions and forms.
RMF recently became one of the first companies in the U.S. to be audited to the new ISO/TS 16949:2009 quality standard. The ISO/TS-16949 Standard is an International Technical Specification that defines the quality system requirements for the design/development, production, installation, and servicing of automotive-related products. It was written by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) in conjunction with the International Stanadardization Organization (ISO). The IATF consists of an international group of vehicle manufacturers and national trade associations.
Below, Ken Holcombe and Joe Pons were on hand for the 2007 Western Carolina Pollution Prevention Awards, where RMF was recognized for its pollution prevention efforts at the Mauldin facility. The Mauldin facility is unique in its environmentially friendly processes that are completely free of the use of hexavalent chrome.
completely free of the use of hexavalent chrome.
