Quality

Looking for "QC with KP" or interested in learning more about the world of Black Diamond Quality Control? Check out the QC team’s numerous postings in the Journal's "QC LAB."

INNOVATION

Here at Black Diamond, innovation is not a four-letter word. It is our driver. As we demand more and more from our gear, we demand more and more innovation from ourselves. As part of a new approach to designing, developing and engineering the best gear for climbing and freeride skiing, we are constantly striving to innovate not only the gear itself but also our processes.

ISO 9001

Because Black Diamond is a company of climbers and freeride enthusiasts dedicated to producing the best climbing and ski gear possible, all of the products we manufacture and sell are constantly tested and improved upon. As of October 27, 1998, Black Diamond received ISO certification. ISO 9001 certification serves as a control process for companies with systems already in place to monitor design, manufacturing and testing. Our current certification helps to underscore Black Diamond's continuing commitment to producing the best gear possible.

3 SIGMA

To rate our climbing gear with a meticulous degree of accuracy, Black Diamond uses a rigorous, best-in-the-industry rating standard called Three Sigma. By batch testing our climbing equipment following 3 Sigma methodologies, we can ensure that there is a 99.87% probability that the strength of any item taken from the same batch will be above the rating. And though the rigorous 3 Sigma testing method results in a rated strength that is three standard deviations lower than the average value found during testing, we feel climbing hardware requires testing with an absolutely consistent and conservative approach to ensure the high levels of quality you have come to expect from Black Diamond.

QC LAB

To ensure that all of Black Diamond’s equipment meets the highest of standards, we have a crack crew of in-house engineers staffing our Quality Control Lab, led by Kolin Powick, Black Diamond’s Director of Global Quality since 2002. KP and his team are the behind-the-scenes guys who do all the batch testing, stress analysis and quality control on everything from boot buckles to cam triggers to pack straps to carabiners. More than once the QC team has developed and built their own testing machines in order to go beyond the basics and really put the gear through the paces and ensure that every piece of Black Diamond gear is as reliable and high performing as possible.

Looking for "QC with KP" or interested in learning more about the world of Black Diamond Quality Control? Check out the QC team’s numerous postings in the Journal's "QC LAB."