Registrars as consultants?

[msoules]

It seems to me that the best consultant would also be a registrar, but not the registrar one uses, of course. Is anyone aware of registrars that also consult? My company is small and in need of serious help in the TS 16949 transition.

Thanks!

 

[D.Scott]

Welcome to the Cove Msoules.

I don't think it is a given that the best consultant would be a registrar. If you could use the same one to consult and register then maybe the point would be true.

For me, if I was in trouble and needed help, I would call on someone who does consulting for a living. That person has done it enough times to know where to go without re-building your entire system. For my money, I think we have a number of real experts right here at the Cove. He probably won't say so himself but if he is available, my choice would be our forum owner - Marc Smith. See his links at the top of the main page. If he isn't available, there are some great consultants here. Just put out the word and I am sure they will contact you.

I hope shameless referrals isn't against the rules. If it is, I would still make the same recommendation in private so just pretend this is an email.
Good luck.

Dave

 

[db]

It seems to me that the best consultant would also be a registrar, but not the registrar one uses, of course. Is anyone aware of registrars that also consult? My company is small and in need of serious help in the TS 16949 transition.

TS registrars are prohibited from consulting, at least to the point that they cannot register those who they consult with. I agree with Dave, but would like to add one point. Look through these forums a lot of your questions can be answered here. Also, there are several consultants in this area ( I for one, Tom Vehoski AKA tomvehoski for another) that will answer your questions directly.

 

[Marc]

TS registrars are prohibited from consulting,

I believe all registrars - ISO or TS or whatever, are prohibited from consulting. Do a search here in the forums for Perry Johnson - the Classic cross-over.

For me, if I was in trouble and needed help, I would call on someone who does consulting for a living. That person has done it enough times to know where to go without re-building your entire system. For my money, I think we have a number of real experts right here at the Cove. He probably won't say so himself but if he is available, my choice would be our forum owner - Marc Smith. See his links at the top of the main page. If he isn't available, there are some great consultants here. Just put out the word and I am sure they will contact you.

I hope shameless referrals isn't against the rules. If it is, I would still make the same recommendation in private so just pretend this is an email.

I appreciate your 'Vote of Confidence'. I do stand upon my record: http://Elsmar.com/resume.html .

 

[howste]

The registrar itself may not be able to provide consulting, but the individual auditors are allowed to, providing (of course) they are not auditing the same companies they consult with.

I'm another one here that mainly does consulting, but also audits for registrars on contract. Marc has provided a thread in the TS 16949 forum for those here at the cove that are available to do consulting work. Check it out: http://Elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=4380

 

[Randy]

Like Dave I'd recommend using Marc or any of the other folks that frequent this place. You won't have to look too far for very good and competent help.

 

[msoules]

Thank you all very much. I have already learned a bunch by reading this forum. Best $25 I have spent in a long time!

I understand and agree that my current registrar/auditor can not/should not/must not consult. Anyone heard of Arthur Anderson?!? And I respect shameless plugs - they help pay the bills! I may just be able to pull this off without a ton of help from the outside, which is a wonderful thing for a little place like ours. But it is nice to know there is a source just a few clicks away.

We already had one consultant in here to give us an overview, which included several animals (octopus, turtle, etc.) and was more confusing than helpful. We decided it was his way of trying to get us to hire him to un-confuse us, but it backfired. Coincidentally, I discovered he is consulting with a large auto supplier facility in the area, and their TS implementation leader thinks he doesn't know his stuff. She and our most recent QS auditor believe the aforementioned animals are "old school" teaching. So, long story longer, we would want to be as sure as possible that the consultant is up to speed on TS. And it certainly seems we have some here!!

Thanks again. I shall pester all when needed.

Mary