ForgeFix achieves new and revised quality


accreditation ForgeFix has received independent, third party recognition of its quality-focused approach. The business - which is one of the UK’s leading distributors


of fixings, fasteners, power tool accessories and hardware - has retained its ISO 9001 certified status and met the revised requirements set out by the new 2015 version of the globally recognised quality management standard. ForgeFix initially achieved ISO 9001:2008 certification in


August 2015 following a rigorous and robust audit of its quality management systems across a range of areas - including staff competence and training, customer satisfaction and resource planning. The requirements of ISO 9001 were subsequently revised in


September 2015 in-line with a regular five yearly review of the scheme’s compliance criteria in order to ensure continued relevance. The most recent changes take into account the challenges


and opportunities faced by organisations in an ever-evolving world. In particular, they focus on aspects such as increased globalization, a greater


need for risk-based thinking and the growing use of multiple management systems simultaneously. All organisations certified to ISO 9001:2008 must transition to the new 2015


version by midnight on the 14th September 2018 after which a certificate to ISO 9001:2008 will no longer be valid. ForgeFix took the decision to upgrade its certification early because of its


progressive approach and its confidence in its existing quality management systems being ‘ahead of the curve’. The external audits required by ForgeFix to demonstrate its compliance with


The ‘On the Tools Awards’ shortlist is now live and voting is open to


the public! ‘On the Tools’ is now the largest online construction community in the UK with a Facebook following of more than 1.5 million. The annual ‘On the Tools’ awards are going to be here before we


know it. We are delighted to have Jewson as our headline sponsor for the second year in a row. This year’s entries have now been shortlisted by our expert judges and many categories are now in the hands of the public vote. We want to ensure that your favourite


brands and talented tradespeople are recognised for their input over the past twelve months. The awards are not only a brilliant way to bring together our community but to


also recognise the hard work, dedication and level of excellence provided by talented and skilled individuals and


companies throughout the construction industry. With various categories being acknowledged for their graft – from gifted painter and decorators and dynamic power tool brands to honouring our prodigy apprentices. We wish all shortlisted entries the best of luck. The awards are free to vote and the opportunity is there to vote for as many


categories as you wish. Voting closes on October 6th. You can place your votes here - http://onthetoolsawards.co.uk/categories


This years awards will be held in Birmingham at Edgbaston Cricket ground on


Friday October 20th. The night is undoubtedly going to be one to remember - drinks reception followed by a sumptuous three course meal and of course the revealing of this year’s winners. You’ll find the link to tickets here - http://onthetoolsawards.co.uk/event


ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 9001:2015 were both conducted by TÃœV UK - a UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited certification body that offers independent third party assessments. Commenting on ForgeFix’s certification, Michael Brown, managing director at


ForgeFix, said: “ForgeFix certification to the latest version of one of the world’s most recognised quality management standards sends out an important and reassuring message to both our customers and our partners. “It highlights our focus on efficiency, quality and customer satisfaction as well as


our company-wide ‘right first time’ approach.” “I’d like to congratulate all the team for their efforts.”


Growth slows for construction SMEs,


says FMB The SME construction sector grew in the second quarter of 2017, albeit at a slower rate than the first three months of the year, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Key results from the FMB’s State


of Trade Survey for Q2 2017, which is the only quarterly assessment of the UK-wide SME construction sector, include: Q2 2017 was the 17th


consecutive quarter of positive growth which means that the construction SME sector has been growing for more than four years (ie since Q2 2013); Almost one in two construction SMEs predict rising workloads in the coming


three months, with just 9% predicting a decrease in activity; 83% of builders believe that material prices will rise in the next six months; 60% of construction SMEs are struggling to hire bricklayers; 57% are


struggling to hire carpenters and joiners; and 47% are struggling to hire plumbers; Almost two-thirds (62%) of construction SMEs expect salaries and wages to


increase in the next six months. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Rising material prices and


salaries could be starting to dampen growth among construction SMEs. However, it is encouraging to see that the sector has continued to grow despite the recent snap General Election and the resulting hung Parliament. Berry continued: “Looking ahead, almost two-thirds of construction firms


expect wages and salaries to increase over the next six months and this is in contrast to stagnant wages elsewhere in the economy. With Brexit on the horizon and worrying talk of the so-called ‘Tier 2’ immigration system replacing the free movement of people, the construction industry urges Ministers to bear in mind their strategic house building and infrastructure targets before pulling up the drawbridge on EU migrant workers.”


telephone 01444 450071 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE 25


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32