A first in continental European certification for Van Leeuwen.

Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group was founded in 1924. Today, it has 40 branches over four continents. Our client devotes attention and time to the continuous improvement of work processes and practices. The quality of the product range and safe and healthy working conditions are business priorities and clearly key to the company’s success.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, Van Leeuwen were first certified against ISO 9000:1994 by us in 1998. Our client was keen to begin planning to meet the revised international quality standard ISO 9001:2015, as early as possible in 2013, when revisions were still being finalised.

With new and revised areas introduced by the revision, Van Leeuwen’s quality team had a number of decisions to make about which areas to focus on first when planning their transition to the revised standard. Our client wanted to take a balanced, wholescale approach, which needed to be managed across a global, multi-site organisation.

Our assessment process supported the group’s drive towards continuous improvement. This project involved every employee, starting with our client’s Global Management Team and Quality Managers. All employees were then engaged with internal communications at every stage, with feedback and ideas shaping the approach.

Our client particularly valued a critical, partnership approach throughout the journey to ISO 9001:2015. As well as assessment services and identifying areas for improvement, training and coaching of the client’s quality teams also helped make the transition journey a smoother process. This support was made all the stronger as a result of our in-depth understanding of Van Leeuwen and their Quality Management System. Our longstanding relationship with the company started over 17 years ago, when Van Leeuwen first achieved QMS certification.

"With a global operation, it’s important that we get both a high-level view of our management system and support at a local level, which LRQA can offer us. The global reach of LRQA means we are confident that we are applying the same high standard of quality across the entire Van Leeuwen Group.”

Maureen van Engelen

Executive Director, Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group

Following their transitional assessment in October 2015, Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group became the first organisation in continental Europe to achieve certification against the recently revised Quality Management System (QMS) standard, ISO 9001:2015.

“Having our QMS certified by LRQA is essential as it allows us to further demonstrate our commitment to providing the highest level of quality to our customers. Whether through our products or processes, they can be sure that we have been independently assessed and closely scrutinised against an internationally recognised standard.”

Maureen van Engelen

Executive Director, Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group