British
woodworking window and doors
Fallowfield - Step up to the mark
British Woodworking Federation (BWF) member
Fallowfield Projects Ltd has achieved the BSI Kitemark under the
TWA (Timber Window Accreditation) Scheme for its stormproof
timber casement windows. This widely recognised quality mark,
achieved with the help and guidance of the British Woodworking
Federation, will guarantee the performance of the company’s
durable and well-crafted windows.
To achieve the Kitemark, Fallowfields called on the BWF’s Total
Support Services, the Federation’s new ‘one stop shop’ of
services set up to help members and non-members develop their
companies and products. The Total Support Services provided
Fallowfields with advice and practical help in its application
for the increasingly popular BS6375 and BS7950 window tests,
facilitating the company’s success in achieving them. To meet
these standards, a pre-requisite for gaining TWA Scheme
accreditation for high performance windows and an energy rating,
the Fallowfield windows were rigourously tested in laboratory
conditions for weather tightness, operation, strength and
security.
The company also underwent a factory inspection in accordance to
BSI and TWA Scheme criteria. Each stage of the manufacturing
process, as well as administration processes, was scrutinised.
TWA Scheme criteria for passing the inspection included sourcing
timber from sustainable suppliers and ensuring traceability at
each stage of production so that every window has a unique
identification. The initial inspection will be followed up with
regular six month checks to ensure that standards are
maintained.
BWF chief executive Richard Lambert, says: “Fallowfields’
success in achieving the BSI Kitemark is a great example of how
BWF Total Support Services can help companies gain independent
accreditation for their products and enhance their reputation
for quality amongst existing and potential clients.”
Fallowfield managing director Ward Fallowfield believes the
Total Support Services are a great BWF membership benefit. He
says: “We want to offer our customers the highest possible
standard of product and, because we are members of the BWF, we
were able to take advantage of Total Support Services at a
really good rate. It was a very worthwhile investment for us
because we got all the guidance and help we needed to get us
through the process, from the co-ordination of the practical
side of the testing to the lengthy paperwork. It is important
for us to demonstrate to our customers that our windows have
been tested and accredited by an independent body and we expect
that the return on our investment will be apparent in our sales
figures and customer response.”
The range of Total Support 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 enjoy preferential
rates, Total Support Services is available to non-members as a
commercial venture from the BWF.
Services available include Chain of Custody, reflecting the
growing demand for certificated timber, ISO14001 Environmental
Management System, responding to calls for companies to improve
their environmental credentials and ISO 9001 - the
internationally recognised Quality Management System. These
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 are also
available in the new Total Support Services portfolio, with more
to come.
The BWF has designed and structured the 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. The BWF and its
consultants manage the whole process, in line with the level of
assistance required by each individual company, tailored and
costed accordingly.
Email:
bronwen@ideaslondon.com