SmarTire Obtains Quality Certification -- Quality Certification Positions SmarTire to Win Business From OEM Customers <PR, 9/22/05>
RICHMOND, Canada, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SmarTire Systems Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SMTR - News) announced today that it has achieved registration to ISO/TS 16949:2002, the quality management standard for the automotive and commercial vehicle industries.
The certification applies to SmarTire's design and manufacture of wireless sensing and control systems for the global transportation industry. SmarTire was registered to ISO/TS 16949:2002 by VCA, an organization with more than 30 years of automotive industry experience and a client base that includes the major North American automotive companies and many of their Tier 1 suppliers.
This registration certifies that SmarTire meets the quality requirements of new and existing original equipment manufacturers (OEM) customers. The cornerstone of the ISO/TS 16949:2002 registered system is recognition of the company's ability to meet customer requirements throughout all levels of the organization. Registration to ISO/TS 16949:2002 provides confidence to OEM customers that SmarTire has implemented processes to ensure robust and reliable systems that meet those requirements.
Terry Annas, manager of quality assurance and manufacturing, said, "SmarTire was previously compliant to QS-9000 and registration to TS 16949 was vital to securing new OEM contracts, enhancing customer satisfaction and providing for continuous improvement."
ISO/TS 16949 was developed by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) and approved by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The IATF is an "ad hoc" group of automotive manufacturers and their respective trade associations, formed to provide improved quality products to automotive customers worldwide. IATF members include the following vehicle manufacturers: BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford Motor Company, General Motors (including Opel Vauxhall), PSA Peugeot-Citroen, Renault SA, Volkswagen and their respective trade associations -- AIAG (U.S.), ANFIA (Italy), FIEV (France), SMMT (U.K.) and VDA (Germany).
About SmarTire Systems Inc.
SmarTire develops and markets proprietary advanced tire pressure monitoring and technology systems for the global automotive and transportation industries. The U.S. government, through the TREAD Act, has legislated that all new passenger vehicles must be equipped with tire monitoring systems beginning with a phased implementation in 2004. SmarTire is capitalizing on the rapidly emerging OEM and aftermarket opportunities. The company's vision is to become the preeminent provider of wireless sensing and control systems for vehicles worldwide. Incorporated in 1987, SmarTire has offices in North America and Europe.
Additional information about SmarTire Systems can be found at http://www.smartire.com . An online investor relations kit containing SmarTire press releases, SEC filings, current Level II price quotes, interactive Java, stock charts and other useful information for investors can be found at http://www.hawkassociates.com and http://www.americanmicrocaps.com . Investors may contact Frank Hawkins or Julie Marshall of Hawk Associates at (305) 451-1888, e-mail: info@hawkassociates.com .