Dallas, TX - April 28, 2000 Metrocrest News -

A local subsidiary of a major company has just stepped into the big leagues by completing its own buyout.

Quality Assurance Management, (QAM), of 1601 Wallace Drive in Carrollton, now charts an independent course after breaking away form US Filer/Vivendi.

QAM president Rob Hoover led the buyout. "Rob started putting the deal together in early December," said director of sales Ron Duran. "And we finalized it on April 10."

According to Hoover, QAM is the world's largest provider of quality assurance/quality control services to major technical. industry. The company had sales of $12.5 million last year. Its clients include many Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies.
Hoover said "the buyout will create growth opportunities for our customers with better solutions to their problems." Management of the newly formed company remains the same, he added.

QAM provides independent, third-party, quality analysis and quality control for the semiconductor, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and fiber optics industries.

The company has over 160 certified technicians, inspectors, engineers and other employees working in four main offices and in approximately 17 project offices located throughout the world. "The number of project offices varies," Duran explained, "depending on the number of outside projects we are performing."

Among the company's clients are STMicroelectronics, Motorola, Texas Instruments, Warner Lambert, Schering-Plough and Procter and Gamble.

"We provide a variety of analytical services and we manufacture equipment that allows companies to meet specific cleanliness and government standards," Hoover explained.

QAM analyzes process gasses and water systems in manufacturing processes where stringent quality standards are needed.

The company uses high-tech equipment with names like Meeco Turbo & Panametrics moisture analyzer and L&N and Thorton Resistivity Monitors to perform its highly specialized work.

He noted that QAM is known for its ultra-high purity analytical test cart and quality monitoring system that is extensively used in the semiconductor industry. It also manufactures advanced analytical equipment.

The company also offers clients cleanroom certifications, custom plastic fabrication, custom machining and other cleanroom support services through its newly acquired Response Maintenance Services, Inc.

Duran explained that the custom plastic fabrications are used in furniture, vessels and distribution systems that support "clean room" activities.

QAM was originally part of The Kinetics Group, which was bought by U.S. Filter. That company was then taken over in 1996 by Vivendi, a European company.

"Because of market conditions, Vivendi was planning on bring QAM back under its direct control," Duran said. Vivendi originally bought QAM to exclusively serve its operations throughout the world. "Over the past four years, we have increased revenue 60 per cent," the director added.

He noted that the increases came from doing work for outside businesses. "Going back directly under Vivendi would have jeopardized all those accounts."

Hoover's buyout idea immediately won the support of the company's executives. In addition to Duran, vice president for operations Jim Malin, controller Betty Coffman, human resources director Terri Walker and office manager Tammy Tubbs worked with Hoover to make the buyout happen.

"The buyout allows QAM to continue providing the highest level of objectivity and integrity that our customers have come to expect from the company," Hoover said. "Our customers can continue to keep their independence from equipment suppliers and construction companies by utilizing the services we provide them."