Growing Stronger with AS9100 Certification:
In today’s unpredictable economy, many American manufacturing businesses face the same challenge: how to keep growing when traditional markets plateau or competition increases. For many, the answer lies in horizontal growth—expanding into new industries by leveraging existing expertise and resources.
A small manufacturer aiming for high-value markets, such as aerospace and defense, should consider getting AS9100 certification. This well-known standard for quality in the aerospace industry raises operational standards. It also leads to valuable contracts and long-term stability.
The Strategic Case for Horizontal Growth
Horizontal growth helps a business use its main strengths. These include its skills, machines, and workers to reach new markets. A small machine shop, for example, might already produce highly precise parts for the automotive sector. The shop can grow its skills. It can also meet specific industry needs. This way, it could begin supplying parts to aerospace or defense contractors. This would greatly increase its revenue potential.
But this kind of expansion isn’t as simple as acquiring new customers. It requires careful planning, targeted investment, and industry compliance. That’s where AS9100 comes in.
Why AS9100 Matters
AS9100 certification is not just a badge of credibility. Companies often require compliance to do business in the aerospace industry.
It includes all stages of production. This starts with design and development and goes to installation and servicing. It ensures high standards of safety, quality, and consistency.
For small businesses, the investment in AS9100—both in terms of time and cost—can be substantial, but not always. The certification process can take four to six months.
Companies like Core Business Solutions can help you get ready quickly and affordably. This is especially true if you are already ISO 9001 certified. Here are some benefits:
- Expanded Market Access – Many aerospace and defense contracts are closed to non-certified suppliers.
- Higher Profit Margins – Certified companies can often command better pricing because of the specialized nature of their work.
- Stronger Operational Discipline – Implementing AS9100 strengthens internal processes, reduces waste, and improves quality.
- Long-Term Client Relationships – Certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence that builds trust with high-value customers.
What is AS9100?
AS9100 is a global quality standard. It defines best practices for product safety and performance in aviation, space, and defense manufacturing. AS9100 is an international quality standard that outlines optimal practices for ensuring product safety and efficiency in the aerospace, space, and defense sectors. Manufacturers in these fields can gain advantages from AS9100 certification.
All manufacturing companies in these industries can benefit from AS9100 certification. This includes major OEMs and others in the supply chain.
The organization released the most recent version of AS9100, also known as AS9100D, in September 2016. ISO 9001:2015 provides seventy-five percent of the requirements for AS9100D. The other 25% includes 105 extra requirements for aerospace manufacturing. This encompasses configuration management, risk assessment, project oversight, critical components, unique requirements, and supplier approval range.
AS9100 Certification
Numerous businesses within the aerospace and defense sectors exclusively collaborate with companies that hold AS9100 certification. Therefore, obtaining AS9100 certification is crucial for thriving in these competitive markets.
Every customer prioritizes product quality and delivery efficiency, a fact that holds particularly true in the aviation, space, and defense sectors.
Your entire Quality Management System (QMS) must consider customer needs from beginning to end. This begins with comprehending customer requirements and planning processes, resources, and materials accordingly. From operations to delivery and support, maintaining open communication with customers is vital. By evaluating quality, delivery, and customer satisfaction, you can act to reach the highest performance standards.
To achieve successful and effective AS9100 certification, you must have processes and resources that bolster your QMS. Management must ensure adequate resources—such as personnel, equipment, and facilities—are available within an efficient work environment. Many companies that require AS9100 must also comply with ITAR and may not realize this.
Who needs to comply with ITAR?
Any person or company that works with defense-related items and services on the USML must follow ITAR rules. This encompasses producers, international sellers, intermediaries, and academic or research bodies involved in defense-related initiatives. To learn more, visit our ITAR page.
Best Practices for Small Businesses Pursuing Certification
Before pursuing AS9100, small manufacturers should take a strategic approach:
- Align Goals with Capabilities: Focus on industries that match your existing strengths, whether that’s in materials, tolerances, or complex machining.
- Invest in the Right Equipment and Talent: Expansion may require upgrading machinery or hiring specialists to meet the technical demands of aerospace-grade production.
- Plan for Certification Early: Certification isn’t an afterthought—it should be built into the growth strategy from the start.
- Consider Infrastructure Sequencing: Some companies expand facilities before securing contracts, while others secure work first and then build capacity. Each approach has trade-offs in flexibility, cost, and speed to market.
Thriving in a Tough Economy
In a competitive environment, small American manufacturers can’t afford to wait for growth to happen—they must actively create it. By focusing on industries that need precision and quality, businesses can prepare for economic downturns. Securing credentials like AS9100 helps them find new ways to earn money.
For companies willing to invest in the certification process, AS9100 can be the key that unlocks not just new markets, but a future of sustained growth and operational excellence.
For over 25 years, Core Business Solutions provides consulting services for ISO 9001, AS9100, AS9120, ITAR and more. Contact us today if you want to grow your business or enhance your quality management system.
