Solaglas, the UK’s largest processor, distributor, installer and repairer of specialist glass products and systems, has been awarded certification under eight different standards since it transferred its quality management and product certification to BM TRADA Certification Ltd, under the Q-Mark banner, only six months ago.
Solaglas Operations Development Manager Ross Mackenzie was presented with the latest certificates at Interbuild on 29th October. He said: ‘Our confidence in BM TRADA has been totally justified. We have one clear point of contact with them and they can talk to us knowledgably about both systems and products, ensuring a prompt response to any actions needed. The Q-Mark has definitely added value to our business.
‘With a turnover of more than £150 million, Solaglas produces an extensive range of flat glass products, including laminated and toughened glass for many safety and security applications, as well as sealed units for the framing industry. Solaglas also installs and repairs glass and glazing systems. The certificates presented at Interbuild covered ISO 9001:2000 for all 11 of its glass processing sites, as well as Q-Mark certification for:
- Sealed unit manufacture under EN 1279-2 & 3 (8 sites)
- Toughened glass under BS EN 12150-2 & BS EN 14179 (10 sites)
- Laminated glass under EN 12543-4/ EN14449
- Anti-bandit glazing under EN 356
- Safety glass for land transport under BS 857.
As part of the Saint-Gobain group, Solaglas sets its own very high quality standards. A rigorous programme of internal audits of systems, products and equipment includes daily product quality checks at each site. Monthly independent laboratory testing of sample units at the specialist Saint-Gobain facility in Paris is carried out for every DGU line, too, but Mr Mackenzie added, ‘With BM TRADA we now undergo additional random product testing, which is a further invaluable tool for monitoring quality.’
BM TRADA now has access to the online quality management system recently introduced by Solaglas, reflecting the mutual respect and confidence between the two bodies. ‘We already share our internal audit data with BM TRADA, along with information from the Saint-Gobain testing facility. By being totally transparent and working in partnership, we can learn a great deal more from each other, ensuring continuous improvement at all our sites, ’ said Mr Mackenzie.
For further information on Solaglas email solaglas.gpd@saint-gobain-glass.com or visit www.solaglas.co.uk.
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