2011 Americas Best Practices Conference 

QuEST Forum is a global communications association comprised of a unique partnership of industry service providers and suppliers dedicated to continually improving products and services in our industry.

Americas Best Practices Conference
13 - 14 September 2011 

Integrated Communications: The Next Quality Paradigm

 Renaissance Seattle Hotel
515 Madison Street
Seattle, Washington, 98104

Shields Environmental Presentations: 
 
R2/RIOS: Responsible Recycling of End of Life Telecom Equipment
Alan Sableski, Director of Operations, Shields Environmental

Shields Environmental decided to obtain R2/RIOS certification for our telecom equipment recycling operations. While the intent was to focus the R2 and RIOS standards on electronics recycling, the implementation strengthened the entire organization and R2/RIOS has become an integral part of our company. Product traceability, customer and supplier communications, and resource management, especially infrastructure, have all improved as a result of adopting R2/RIOS standards. But most importantly, the process confirmed that when you commit to a standard, whether R2/RIOS, ISO 9001 or TL 9000, the implementation challenges ultimately result in significant organizational improvements.

TL 9000's Role in Whole Life Cycle Managed Services,
Ruben Peijnenborgh, Chief Executive Officer, Shields Environmental Group plc 

Shields Environmental was challenged to improve the quality of products and services to customers without straining current natural, personnel and capital resources. The Whole Life Cycle Management approach balances the demand for equipment against the supply of the customer’s own surplus or defective equipment. This presentation will show how when TL9000 standards are applied to inspection and testing, reliable reusable equipment is put back into the network. This reuse lessens the strain on natural and capital resources by extending the equipment’s useful life.