Tant Laboratories achieve ISO 9000 accreditation

Independent prescription house Tant Laboratories of Bishop’s Stortford recently achieved ISO 9000 accreditation on top of a £300,000 investment in Nidek Robotic systems under parent company Lenstec.

Caerphilly-based Lenstec, which has held ISO 9000 since 2004, purchased Tant in November 2010 and after a review decided to bring the group into line, explained managing director Nigel Castle.

The ISO 9000 was a cornerstone for improving and expanding production facilities at Tant. He said that the process took eight months, with the team embracing the processes and training under the guidance of general manager Neil McFarlane. Both companies now have a well-established ethos of investing in staff training.

The benefits are that we attract custom through quality and recognition throughout the profession,’ he said, adding that training was a key focus in difficult but exciting market conditions.

While three robotic Nidek machines and blocking systems were installed at Tant in February this year, Lenstec invested £700,000 in the same processes in 2010/2011.

There are further plans to invest in digital surfacing in the near future. Castle added that the group had improved quality levels by processes and systems. ‘We have found that our customers have embraced our efforts in investing to provide accurate quality and timely deliveries across the UK.’