Synthotech, has become only one of a handful of small businesses in the UK, to attain the British Standards Institution award for Integrated Management Systems, PAS 99. The company has an internationally recognised position in the design, development, manufacture, and supply services to the utilities and industrial market sectors.

The remarkable accomplishment has been acknowledged by BSI Management Systems at a presentation ceremony at the company's manufacturing base. Managing Director Mark Tindley was justifiably proud.  "This is yet another recognition of what we are doing here at Synthotech. We are a relatively small company doing big business and it's all based around invention and quality. Because of the ingenuity and skill of our workforce, companies around the world are now using our products and improving efficiency, safety and becoming more effective."   In these days of recession and contraction, the company stands out from the pack. Turnover has increased by 167% over the last two years and since 2006, the workforce has nearly tripled with more specialist recruitment in the pipeline.  

Systems Manager Sarah Tindley explains the importance of this latest step in the company's development.   "Most successful companies have to comply with one or more management system standards if they are to survive in business. Often they are knee jerk reactions to customer demands. However in our case, we decided over a year ago to lay down a framework that would not be a short term goal, but would enable us to successfully expand in the best possible way in the future. This meant not just qualifying for one standard, but a range of standards covering Quality, Health & Safety, the Environment, plus an umbrella standard that integrates them all. This last one is the Integrated Management Standard, called PAS 99.   To do this we have had to ensure that everyone in the company is working in the best possible way. The formal way of saying this is that the company have been certified to PAS 99 by BSI for maintaining standards to ISO 9001:2000 and reaching the required levels for ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007."  

Ensuring that you have the staff with you is a major part of the process and we have taken time to explain and make sure that we all understand what we are trying to achieve. We not only want a safer, more ecological working environment but also something that we can all be proud of and feel a sense of achievement in.   It is also about valuing our customers and ensuring that our products are of the highest possible standard. Customer service is extremely high on Synthotech's agenda and this system enables us to monitor and act appropriately to customer demands." 

"This is a fantastic achievement," said Andrew Morris, Business Development Director for BSI Management Systems. "It would have been commendable for any organisation to achieve any of the standards, but to do the three together shows the company's commitment to improving organisational processes and business performance." 

The company's products are now extensively used in the UK and increasingly around the world in countries such as India and China, with other markets showing interest. Synthotech also have a consultancy service with a number of renowned industry experts working on their behalf. That plus the quality of in house development and manufacture, yet more innovative products in the pipeline and systems that are designed  for the future, means that they are looking forward to the challenges of 2009.