November 2018

Industry News
PRODUCT EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME LAUNCHED BY BBA
The British Board of Agrément (BBA) has
announced an initiative to provide additional
assurance that the building solutions being used
on projects are technically outstanding and of a
consistently high quality.
Its Product Excellence Programme (PEP) was
officially launched during a Westminster
Sustainable Business Forum (WSBF) event at the
Houses of Parliament, during which quality in
construction was the focus.
The BBA says its PEP raises the UK certification
bar, offering an unparalleled level of product
assessment, testing and monitoring, which it
believes will give contractors, designers, specifiers,
building inspectors, insurers and end users
increased confidence about building solutions.
Brian Moore, BBA Deputy CEO, said: “PEP is an
enhancement to the proven audit and inspection
service that the BBA has provided for many years,
bringing additional rigour and excellence to the
process. Post-Grenfell, consumers are looking for
a higher degree of reassurance and expect
products to be tested regularly by a trustworthy
and externally assessed independent body such
as the BBA, which is UKAS accredited.”
Martin Taylor Commercial Director of the Local
Authority Building Control, noted: “Significant
changes in building regulations often follow
disasters, but we should be more proactive and
look to solve these problems before they occur,”
and he believes one such proactive step is the
BBA Product Excellence Programme.
Currently, BBA Management Systems Auditors
visit client manufacturing facilities every six
months to ensure that BBA certified products
continue to be manufactured in line with the
agreed quality plan. PEP introduces a product
testing regime to this process:
• Complexity 1 products – those which possess
fire or structural type characteristics – will be
tested annually.
• Complexity 2 products – those which do not
possess fire or structural type characteristics –
will be tested every three years.
For both complexities, the BBA will randomly select
products for testing during audits of manufacturing
facilities and send them to its Product Excellence
Test Centre in Watford. If a product tested does not
meet the agreed specifications, it will be subject to
immediate further investigation. Companies unable
to address the source of failure will have their BBA
Certificate withdrawn.
ROOFERS ENJOY BATH BRANCH REOPENING
Hundreds of local roofing contractors
turned out to celebrate the official relaunch
of SIG Roofing’s Bath branch
following a major refurbishment of the
outlet.
The special open day gave roofers the opportunity
to see the significant improvements that have
been made to the branch as part of SIG Roofing’s
commitment to enhance the quality of service it
provides its customers.
The new look branch features a brand new
showroom and trade counter, showcasing the
wide range of roofing solutions that SIG supplies
the local market.
Nathan Goddard, assistant branch manager at
SIG Roofing Bath, said: “We were absolutely
delighted with the number of customers that
joined us on our open day to celebrate the branch
refurbishment and to enjoy a bacon butty and a
cup of tea with us!
“We now have an extensive range of roofing
SIG Roofing’s Bath branch has reopened with a new
showroom and trade counter. Suppliers Velux and FIX-R were
on hand doing product demonstrations.
solutions on display in-store, improving the
quality of the service we can provide our
customers. The feedback we have received from
our customers on the work that has been carried
out has been fantastic.”
As well as SIG Roofing’s range of roofing
products, a number of fantastic promotional
offers were available on the day for customers to
take advantage of, with suppliers including Velux
and FIX-R also on-hand doing product
demonstrations.
JAMIESON RETIRES ON
A HIGH AFTER 44 YRS
Russell Roof Tiles has celebrated John
Jamieson, one of its longest serving
employees, following his retirement after a
fruitful 44 years at the roof tile
manufacturer.
John, aged 65, joined the manufacturer in
1974 aged 21, where he went on to build a
successful career. He first began his career
as a lorry driver at the Lochmaben site but
developed quickly to undertake positions in
Quality Control and Yard Management. John
was then promoted to Stock Control before
taking up a role in Production Planning,
where he remained until his retirement.
Bruce Laidlaw, Production Director at
Russell Roof Tiles, said: “As a thank you
from us, John was presented with a watch,
an engraved tankard and holiday vouchers.
We wish him the best of luck in his
retirement.”
12 TC NOVEMBER 2018