The company received its certificate from the British Standards Institute just a few days ago, after nine months of intense hard work. In that time the ready mix concrete division reviewed its processes, prepared for and successfully completed three detailed quality audits.
Operations manager Ian Bradbury also gained a personal ‘first’ by masterminding the project and writing the necessary quality and procedures manuals to document L&S’s methods. He had not previously taken full responsibility for managing the accreditation process.
Commenting on the success, Ian said: “We are delighted to have attained the BS 9001 quality standard in addition working to the WRAP Protocol. It is good for our business in that it enables us to sell to larger construction companies that insist on quality assured supplies. Importantly it restates our commitment to quality and sustainability for all customers.”
L&S is unusual in that the company has turned its back on primary aggregates almost entirely. Most major ready mix companies use all virgin aggregate, and where recycled material is employed it only amounts to some 20 per cent of the total. However there are no more than three or four loads that include marine sand in an average week at L&S and these are for floor screeds. Everything else relies on 100 per cent secondary aggregate produced from mixed construction /demolition wastes.
The company supplies ready mixed concrete for a range of applications includingbackfilling after repairs to gas and water services and material for footings, site slabs, kerbs, driveways, parking areas and pathways.
Mick Balch managing director of L&S said: “Quality control is of the utmost importance for us as we have to ensure that each design mix is consistent, time after time. I am therefore delighted that we now hold BS9001 accreditation and keen to extend this to other parts of our diverse waste and recycling business.”
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