British
woodworking window and doors
British Woodworking Federation - Total support for BWF members
An innovative new initiative developed by
the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) will provide a ‘one
stop shop’ of services to its members to help them develop their
companies and their products. Called Total Support Services, the
initiative reinforces the Federation’s position as an active and
dynamic trade association which is responsive to its members’
needs in a fast changing and challenging business environment.
The range of services on offer has been developed in response to
the specific needs expressed by BWF members through
questionnaires, Code of Conduct assessments and personal visits
to new members. While all BWF members will enjoy preferential
rates, Total Support Services will be available to non-members
as a commercial venture for the BWF.
Services available in the first phase include Chain of Custody,
reflecting the growing demand for certificated timber, ISO14001
Environmental Management System, responding to the growing
demand for companies to improve their environmental credentials
and ISO 9001 - the internationally recognised Quality Management
System. The services have been set up as a basic package to help
companies get started, with extra consultancy advice and
assistance available to help reach standards if required. Window
Energy Ratings, Health & Safety Audits, fire door certification
as a Licensed Converter and Window and Door Product Testing will
also be available in the new Total Support Services portfolio,
with more to come.
The BWF has designed and structured Total Support Services to be
as simple and straightforward as possible, making them
particularly appealing for smaller businesses, for whom
achieving standards and certifications of this kind can be a
daunting and time consuming prospect. As literally ‘one stop
shop’ services, the BWF and its consultants will manage the
whole process, in line with the level of assistance required by
each individual company, and costed accordingly.
Scott Marshall has developed Total Support Services and sees the
initiative as a natural step for the BWF as the leading
representative body for the woodworking and joinery industries.
He says: “Providing our members with the technical and business
advice they need to run successful, profitable companies has
always been a priority - after all that is the role of a good
trade association. Total Support Services takes this one step
further. The achievement of standards and certification is not
only about competitive advantage. Companies must meet the
requirements of increasing amounts of legislation, covering all
aspects of business practice. Our members have told us what they
want and we have responded with Total Support Services, cutting
through all the baffling data with expert advice and guidance to
achieve the certification and standards they need.”
Head of supply chain solutions at Bovis Lend Lease, Nigel McKay,
said: "Chain of Custody is a very positive step forward for the
timber industry and we're encouraged that the BWF is helping
their members on issues that we, as main contractors, are trying
to help our own customers, and ultimately our supply chain,
with. There's a real issue for smaller companies, which really
need someone who's going to come and work alongside of them. It
is great that the BWF is taking on this role and driving this
aspect of the industry forward."
Email:
bronwen@ideaslondon.com