Calvert County Ranks First in Tourism Growth

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- July 27, 2004 -- The Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, announces the formation of a new ISO 9000 consortium planned to begin in September 2004.

The Maryland ISO consortium program was established in 1994 to help Maryland companies develop standards to improve their internal operations, enhance quality management systems and achieve competitiveness in domestic and international markets. These standards, concerning management practices key to product or service quality and customer satisfaction, are published by the Geneva-based International Organization for Standardization (ISO). To date, over 340 Maryland companies have taken advantage of this program to improve their operational performance and become more competitive.

Steven Moore and Mark McGrath, owners of Chesapeake Plastics Manufacturing of Lusby, Maryland, recently guided their company through the challenging ISO 9000 compliance process and are currently awaiting certification. Moore said the overall process was an excellent tool in helping develop the business model and best practices their manufacturing company needs to succeed in today’s marketplace. “We see ISO 9000 not as a means to an end, but as a required step in maintaining our competitive edge in a global market,” said Moore.

The entire 12-month program consists of more than 90 benchmarking events and provides 15 training events conducted by program consultants, ISO-registered companies and independent registrars. Using a consortium approach, member companies are taken through a structured implementation process, affording them access to industry experts and opportunities for networking and sharing of best practices with other Maryland organizations.

The program, sponsored by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development and the University of Maryland Center for Quality and Productivity, is scheduled to start in September 2004 and the one-time membership fee is $3,500, with no limitation on the number of company participants. On-site consultation by industry experts is included in the fee.

For more information, please contact the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880, via email info@ecalvert.com or call Steven Wall, Regional Director for the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, at 301.934.7578 or via email at swall@choosemaryland.org.

For more information on the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, our visitor sites and attractions and the services available to assist County businesses, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; or send an e-mail to info@ecalvert.com