Kokatat is one of three companies profiled by SNEWS editor Michael Hodgson in today’s edition of the popular outdoor industry trade. The article explores the benefits and reasons why an outdoor industry company would want to be ISO (International Standards Organization) certified. Kokatat recently attained the ISO 9001:2008 certificate.

Check out the article here (click ‘here’ for link).

So Kokatat has an ISO certificate? What does that mean?! Well, as ISO is the world’s largest developer and publisher of international standards, the certificate validates Kokatat’s commitment to quality product and to providing industry-leading customer satisfaction.

Following a nine-month implementation process, the British Standards Institution (BSI) conducted an intensive audit on behalf of the ISO. BSI examined all of Kokatat’s quality standards and relevant processes to determine compliance.

Here are some top-line facts about Kokatat’s ISO certificate and what it means for the company:

  • the certificate enables growth opportunities for Kokatat domestically and abroad (important during such a volatile economic time).
  • when selling abroad, the certificate will ease the sometimes-difficult compliance procedures/measures unique to individual countries.
  • Kokatat isn’t only a consumer brand; their products are used and sold to the Department of Defense (US Navy), the Department of Homeland Security (US Coast Guard) and other federal and state agencies. Regulatory agencies typically require advanced safety standards and products undergo a greater degree of scrutiny (the consumer product benefits from these elevated standards).
  • An ISO audit is also valuable for the intense scrutiny the company endures in terms of manufacturing processes, use of labor, and working conditions. This audit can serve to not only recognize standards but also to improve production, resources, and management.

What’s even more unique is that Kokatat now owns an ISO certificate as an independent company with nearly 90% of their product made in the Arcata, CA headquarters. This is a rare designation for any company, but especially for an outdoor industry, independent company like ours.

Kokatat’s ISO certificate was also featured in the Times-Standard article called “A ‘Model’ Business” here (click ‘here’ for link).

The official news release on SNEWS here (click ‘here’ for link).