Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (MMK) is currently implementing a project aimed at bringing the company’s corporate standards in accordance with those of Gazprom (series 9000).

The enterprise’s PR Department reports the new standards are being introduced to improve on the current quality management system and to raise the metal goods sales to ChTPZ Group, United Metallurgical Company, and Pipe Metallurgical Company (Gazprom’s major suppliers).

Gazprom’s corporate standards are based on ISO 9001 and ISO/TU 16949 ones, with modifications specific to the O&G industry, and they comprise about 120 requirements (mostly related to the quality of pipes).

MMK is expected to undergo Gazprom standards-based certification next March. The current introduction of the standards is to consist of several stages. First, the enterprise’s R&D and sales personnel as well as production shop workers and technicians underwent special training. Next, the new standards are to be applied to all the business processes, including purchases.

‘Gazprom and MMK signed a cooperation agreement valid through 2015. The agreement provides for mutually beneficial cooperation and for supplying Gazprom with steel pipes. All in all, MMK delivered over 1.6 million tons of metal goods (26% of domestic market sales) to the pipe industry in 2008,’ MMK’s PR Department reports.