We maintain strong relationships with local unions wherever we conduct operations. This enables us to access union resources for manpower, special skills and craftsmanship and training and certification programs. The partnerships we’ve developed over the years allow us to rapidly staff projects and deliver the highest quality on schedule and budget. Many of our key personnel are active union members and we’re a signatory to several UA national agreements. The following summarizes our local and national trade relationships:
Every project we execute adheres to our stringent quality system. Based on the ISO Standard 9002, this system establishes control mechanisms for materials, processes, and verification activities to ensure that Sylvan provides clients the highest quality services. The system is regularly reviewed via internal and external audits to ensure its effectiveness and provide guidance on any needed changes.
The Sylvan Quality System has four layers: quality manual, procedures, work instructions, and departmental/supporting documentation records. The quality plan outlines procedures to identify controls, processes, equipment, resources, and skills needed to achieve the required quality for a specific project.
The quality system outlines best practices and procedures for working with clients throughout
every phase of a potential engagement:
Sylvan adheres to documented procedures for contract review to ensure all client requirements are clearly defined and understood, as well as verify that our capabilities can satisfy those requirements.
All documentation, including procedures to control documents and construction documents provided by clients, are subject to an established review and approval process.
Suppliers and subcontractors are chosen based on their ability to comply with our quality system, and their performance is closely monitored. Purchasing documents clearly describe ordered products, including quality requirements, and are subject to stringent review prior to release.
Sylvan assures the integrity of customer supplied products by receiving, handling, and storing them in a secure manner.
All products, services, and documentation are assigned unique numbers to identify them with a project.
Sylvan has documented and repeatable processes and procedures relating to our production and installation services. This includes equipment selection and maintenance, as well as personnel selection.
Inspection and testing are conducted on purchased materials and components, as well as fabrications prior to release of finished products. Inspection records are maintained to verify compliance with stated requirements.
Sylvan has established and maintains documented procedures to control, calibrate, and maintain inspection, measuring, and test equipment. Records of all testing are meticulously managed.
Sylvan closely manages the status of materials and equipment throughout production, installation, and servicing of a project, including the segregation of non-conforming equipment.
Any product that fails to conform to specified project requirements is prohibited from use or installation, subject to disposition, repair, and reinspection.
Corrective and preventive action is taken to handle potential and actual problems with the quality system.
All products purchased and utilized by Sylvan are subject to documented procedures for handling, storage, packaging, preservation, and delivery.
Records are identified, indexed, and stored in a secure environment to minimize deterioration. A Record Retention Matrix associated with the procedure indicates information pertinent to the control of records.
Internal audits are planned and scheduled based on the importance of the activity. Identified nonconforming conditions are flagged and corrective action is promptly taken.
Sylvan has a comprehensive training program to ensure all personnel assigned to specific tasks are fully qualified with appropriate education, training, and experience.
A quality measurement system is used for statistical analysis control. A list of potential measures is used to determine which company processes need to be tracked and measured for continuous improvement.