Our complete Darmstadt site has successfully achieved ISO 9001 certification, marking an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction.
The MKS Calibration and Service Center in Darmstadt had previously been accredited under ISO/IEC 17025. With the new ISO 9001 certification, MKS has significantly expanded the quality management scope to cover the full Darmstadt site across business units and brands, including sales, customer service, human resources, and laser service operations.
A Commitment to Continuous Improvement
At the heart of ISO 9001 is the principle of continuous improvement. The certification demonstrates that teams across the organization follow documented, standardized processes designed to support consistency, efficiency, and high-quality outcomes for customers. The certification follows a structured cycle:
- Initial certification audit
- Annual surveillance audits with a more focused review scope
- Recertification every three years
Throughout the certification process, departments worked together to document workflows, define responsibilities, and establish clear procedures.
“Achieving ISO 9001 certification is not just about meeting a standard. It is about creating a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring that quality is embedded in everything we do,” explains Markus Ruetering, Managing Director of both Darmstadt entities and Vice President of Sales for EMEIA and AMER, MKS Photonics Solutions Division.
Bringing Multiple Teams Together
The certification includes a broad range of functions and activities at the Darmstadt site, including:
- Laser service operations, including repair and testing services
- Sales teams supporting multiple MKS brands
- Customer Service Representative (CSR) teams
- Human Resources
- Supporting operational and quality management processes
Building on Existing Quality Expertise
Darmstadt already had extensive experience with quality standards through its laboratory accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025, the internationally recognized standard for testing and calibration laboratories. Still, the ISO 9001 certification is different, as Thomas Zorn, MKS Supervisor Quality at the Darmstadt site, outlines: “While ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 9001 both share a focus on quality management and continuous improvement, they serve different purposes. Our existing ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation validates our laboratory’s competence and the reliability of its measurements. The new ISO 9001 certification extends this quality-driven approach across the entire Darmstadt site, ensuring standardized, documented, and continuously improved business processes.”
Looking Ahead
The successful certification demonstrates MKS Darmstadt’s dedication to establishing standardized processes, driving continuous improvement, and delivering consistent quality across all operations. It also creates a strong foundation for future regulatory and quality initiatives, including companywide activities related to the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).
As customer expectations and industry requirements continue to evolve, the Darmstadt team remains committed to strengthening processes, enhancing efficiency, and delivering reliable, high-quality products and services. Ultimately, ISO 9001 certification helps ensure that customers benefit from consistent processes, reliable service, and a culture focused on continuous improvement across the Darmstadt organization.
