Since signing up the first certified partner in early 2017, the SE Controls partner network has continued to grow with new companies being certified at an average rate of one per month with Silver Group UK of Luton becoming the latest partner announced today.
The partner certification programme itself has also grown and SE Controls now has three different partner classifications to accommodate the different business specialisms, skill sets and services provided by partner companies, which are Fabricator Partner; Installer Partner and Certified Partner.
Fabricator Partners are independently audited by SE Controls’ ‘Notified Body’, which enables them to fit SE Controls actuators to their own vents in their factory, enabling them to supply genuine CE certified smoke vents to EN12101-2. Full training and procedural systems are provided as part of SE Controls commitment, as well as an extensive testing programme to verify the product performance.
For Installer Partners, the same detailed auditing process has to be completed, but the main difference is that they supply and install EN12101-2 compliant actuators to smoke vents produced by façade manufacturers. A further requirement is that the façade company must hold an FPC System 1 and be one for which SE Controls has a tested solution. This enables the vents to be actuated when they have been sent from the factory without actuators installed to avoid damage.
The third partner classification – Certified Partner – applies to companies that supply and install SE Controls own systems. They are trained in the classroom and on-site to correctly install the products and their abilities are measured by SE Controls own internal audit process by senior engineers to ensure quality and compliance are maintained at all times. The audits are ongoing and any partner company could lose its status depending on their ability to maintain the standards demanded.
SE Controls Supply & Distribution Division Manager, Paul Hunt, explained: “Collectively, these three audited partner groups allow us to reach a wider market, but also ensures that quality systems, standards and regulatory compliance are maintained for all projects and installations.”
“Many of our partners also work in other sectors such as fire alarms, CCTV, access control and security systems, so this allows them to provide a valuable single source solution to customers, which also represents our brand and products professionally.”
He added: “Partner selection and certification is a rigorous process that involves a detailed business operations and skills audit by us so that an effective support and training process can be created. After successfully completing the process, the partner has access to the company’s full product range and technical expertise, as well as a wide range of installation and project information to help develop new opportunities. In return we gain a fully trained, expert partner with detailed regional knowledge and contacts, which allows the company to extend its market reach.
We are really pleased to have Silver Group as a Certified Partner and also as an audited EN12101-2 Installer, this shows their capability and competence at delivering compliant solutions on our behalf and we look forward to developing the working relationship over the next few years.”
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