ISO 9001 Quality

ISO 9001 ensures that senior management can take a strategic approach to our management systems giving us a competitive advantage. Our ongoing assessments and certification process ensures that the business objectives constantly feed into our processes and working practices.

ISO 9001:

	Improves business performance and manages business risk. ISO 9001 helps us manage and to raise the company's performance above and beyond competitors who aren't using a management system. Certification also makes it easier to measure performance and better manage business risk.
	Attracts investment, enhances brand reputation and removes barriers to trade. Certification to ISO 9001 boosts our company's brand reputation and can be a useful promotional tool. It sends a clear message to all interested parties that we are a company committed to high standards and continual improvement.
	Saves us money, as evidence shows that the financial benefits for companies that have invested in and certified their quality management systems to ISO 9001 include operational efficiencies, increased sales, higher return on assets and greater profitability.
	Streamlines operations and reduces waste. The continued assessment of our quality management system focuses on operating processes. This encourages the organisation to improve the quality of products and the service provided and helps to reduce waste and customer complaints.
	Encourages internal communication and raises morale. ISO 9001 ensures that employees feel more involved through improved communication. Continued Assessment visits can highlight any skills shortages sooner and uncover any teamwork issues.
	Increases customer satisfaction with the 'Plan, Do, Check, Act' structure of ISO 9001 which ensures that the needs of the customer are being considered and met.

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   ISO 14001 Environmental Management System

Certifying our company's environmental management system to ISO 14001 means that an accredited third party has assessed that it meets the requirements set out in the standard.

Certification to ISO 14001 which allows us to:

	Demonstrate a commitment to achieving legal and regulatory compliance to regulators and government;
	Demonstrate our environmental commitment to stakeholders;
	Demonstrate an innovative and forward thinking approach to customers and prospective employees;
	Increase our access to new customers and business partners;
	Better manage our environmental risks, now and in the future;
	Potentially reduce public liability insurance costs;
	Reduce operational costs through reduced energy consumption and use of natural resources;
	Reduce fines and clean-up costs.

In particular industries, pressure is now being exerted by many large organisations, such as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who expect their suppliers to adopt environmentally-friendly practices and may mandate ISO 14001 certification as a licence to operate.

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   OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety

In a competitive marketplace, our customers are looking for more than just keen pricing from their suppliers. Companies need to demonstrate that their businesses are managed efficiently and responsibly and that they can provide a reliable service without excessive downtime caused by work-related accidents and incidents.

By certifying our OHSAS 18001 management system we are able to prove that it conforms to the specification and provides the following benefits:

	Potential reduction in the number of accidents;
	Potential reduction in downtime and associated costs;
	Demonstration of legal and regulatory compliance;
	Demonstration to stakeholders of your commitment to health and safety;
	Demonstration of an innovative and forward thinking approach;
	Increased access to new customers and business partners;
	Better management of health and safety risks, now and in the future;
	Potential reduced public liability insurance costs;
	Helps us to be protected against prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter & Homicide Act.

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   ISO 27001 Information Security Management System

Certifying our ISMS against ISO/IEC 27001 has brought the following abilities and benefits to our company:

	Demonstrates the independent assurance of our internal controls and meets corporate governance and business continuity requirements;
	Independently demonstrates that applicable laws and regulations are observed;
	Provides a competitive edge by meeting contractual requirements and demonstrating to our customers that the security of their information is paramount;
	Independently verifies that our company's risks are properly identified, assessed and managed, while formalising information security processes, procedures and documentation;
	Proves our senior management's commitment to the security of its information;
	The regular assessment process helps us to continually monitor our performance and improve.

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   Information Commissioner's Office Registration

As all organisations must make sure that they comply with the Data Protection Act, we are happy to comply with our obligations and have registered with the Information Commissioner's Office accordingly.

The Data Protection Act requires all organisations which handle personal information to comply with a number of important principles regarding privacy and disclosure. The Act states that anyone who processes personal information must comply with eight principles.

	Fairly and lawfully processed;
	Processed for limited purposes;
	Adequate, relevant and not excessive;
	Accurate and up to date;
	Not kept for longer than is necessary;
	Processed in line with your rights;
	Secure;
	Not transferred to other countries without adequate protection.

The Act also allows people to find out what personal information is held about them by making a subject access request. This covers information held electronically and in some paper records, and includes credit reference details. The second area covered by the Act provides individuals with important rights, including the right to find out what personal information is held on computer and most paper records.

Should an individual or organisation feel they're being denied access to personal information they're entitled to, or feel their information has not been handled according to the eight principles, they can contact the Information Commissioner's Office for help.

If members of the public think they're being prevented from seeing information they're entitled to, they can ask the Information Commissioner's Office to help. The Information Commissioner's Office, is responsible for looking after their rights and making sure personal information isn't misused. Complaints are usually dealt with informally, but if this isn't possible, enforcement action can be taken.

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   Two Ticks Award

The Two Ticks symbol is awarded by the Jobcentre Plus to recognise employers who have agreed to meet five commitments regarding the recruitment, employment, retention and career development of disabled people.

We are proud to have received the Two Tick Symbol as we have adopted a proactive approach to employing disabled people and are or trying to create a more diverse workforce.

The symbol helps to make it clear to disabled people that we welcome applications from them and are positive about their abilities. It also shows existing employees that we value their contribution and will treat them fairly should they become disabled.

For more information please use the link below:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/LookingForWork/DG_4000314

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North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce

The North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce was founded over 80 years ago for the purpose of watching over and protecting local trade interests. It now covers the whole range of industry and commerce. The North & Western Lancashire Chamber is part of the British Chambers of Commerce.

The Chamber provides an effective vehicle for representing the views of the business community to local and national government and other public bodies, and, through its permanent staff, provides a wide range of member driven services designed to help members in their day to day business operations.

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Federation of Small Businesses

The FSB is non-profit making and non-party political, a community that recognises, values and adequately rewards the endeavours of those who are self employed and small business owners within the UK.

The Federation of Small Businesses is the UK's largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has 215,000 members across 33 regions and 230 branches.

Its lobbying arm - led by the Westminster Press and Parliamentary office - applies pressure on MPs, Government and Whitehall and puts the FSB viewpoint over to the media. The FSB also has Press and Parliamentary Offices in Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast to lobby the devolved assemblies. Policy Managers work alongside Regional Development Agencies to further FSB influence at a regional level.

In addition, Member Services is committed to delivering a wide range of high quality, good value business services to members of the FSB. These services will be subject to continuing review and will represent a positive enhancement to the benefit of membership of the Leading Business Organisation in the UK.