With funding from the European Union under the EU4Business Initiative, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) helped ASP-GEORGIA, an importer and retailer of cars, trucks, agricultural machinery and spare parts, implement a quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001:2008 standards.
The EBRD helped ASP-GEORGIA Ltd., an importer and retailer of cars, trucks, agricultural machinery, car spare parts and accessories, introduce a Quality Management System (QMS) and standardise their internal business processes. As a result, ASP-GEORGIA increased its annual turnover by 71% and its number of employees by 90% - helping the company become more competitive in the context of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the European Union.
Founded in 2001 by two Georgians, Simon Kumelashvili and David Kejerashvili, ASP-GEORGIA started its operations on the local market in 2004. The company imports cars and became the official dealer of Beiqi Foton Motor Co., a leading Chinese manufacturer of commercial vehicles (trucks, buses, sport utility vehicles and agricultural machinery). The company is also a spare parts and accessories retailer, offering car diagnostics and providing qualified repair services at its 10 sales points located in Tbilisi.
As ASP-GEORGIA grew rapidly, the company’s management started to face problems in terms of organisational efficiency and effectiveness, which affected the company’s development.
The EBRD connected ASP-GEORGIA with a local consultant, Centre for Training and Consultancy Ltd., who helped them introduce a QMS according to ISO 9001 standards.
In particular, the consultant:
- Undertook a QMS and GAP analysis;
- Implemented a QMS and trained the company’s staff in QMS, ISO standards and internal audit skills;
- Developed a Quality Policy Manual according to ISO 9001 requirements;
- Developed a Quality Procedure Manual; and
- Conducted an internal audit and provided a report on it.
One year after the project’s completion, ASP-GEORGIA had 12 quality procedure documents and 53 quality manual forms in place, applicable to both the sales of motor vehicles and spare parts and to the provision of vehicle services. With a fully-implemented QMS, the main objective of receiving an ISO 9001:2008 certificate was achieved. ASP-GEORGIA has since applied for and won eight tenders, opened two new sales points for spare parts and established a new mobile car repair service.
Today, the company’s management aims to expand the business outside the capital and plans to open a new showroom in Tbilisi on a recently purchased plot of land. ASP-GEORGIA also recently celebrated the opening of its new branch in Poti, in the Samegrelo Region.
David Kejerashvili, owner, commented: “QMS was a real challenge for ASP-GEORGIA. However, we were ready for this challenge and we accepted it. Thanks to the EBRD’s technical assistance, we are now certified. This is only the beginning of a huge development and success potential for ASP-GEORGIA!”
Total project value
€9 994
Client contribution
€6 996
