Purpose of this study is to look into the impact of integrating ISO 9000 and total quality management on the operational performance of manufacturing organizations and their journey to enhancing organizational excellence. design/methodology/ approach - This paper studies the commonness between ISO 9000 standards and TQM. The article investigates the ISO 9000 standards utilities and capabilities as a starting point for TQM. Findings - Integrating ISO9000 with TQM improves plant performance including quality management, inventory management, time based performance and competitiveness leading to faster progress. Research limitations/implications - Recent studies are barely available on this topic. Practical implications - The study findings have significant consequences for academics and practitioners. The results obtained suggest that ISO 9000 and TQM are complimentary rather than substitutes. Social implications - Just as established companies prioritize quality as a competitive advantage in global markets, SMEs also do the same. Originality/ value - This article explores how ISO 9000 and TQM work together to improve operational performance.