SBS Accreditations

Smith Brothers Stores are constantly looking for ways to improve our operation and one-way we do this is by teaming up with reputable industry accreditation organisations to ensure our business promotes the very best industry practice.

Accreditations are often external organisations which set standards for a business to adhere to, whether this be an activity or to hold and retain a certain status. The accreditations mentioned below are recognised by the United Kingdom Accreditations Service (UKAS), which assesses organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection, and calibration services.

ISO 9001

As part of the continuing success and growth plans of the business, Smith Brothers are partnering with BSI to acquire and retain ISO 9001 status for the business. ISO 9001 is the international Standard for Quality Management, meaning that specific processes within the business will be tweaked and aligned to meet the required standards.

We have implemented a dedicated taskforce who will continually monitor and manage the quality across our business and identify areas of improvement. They will also conduct a thorough inspection of the company’s written internal procedures, ensuring that what is stated in our practices are followed and aligns with the accreditations standards.

Benefits for our customers:

Implementing ISO 9001 will help to improve:

Quality of service
Increasing the number of on-time deliveries
Reducing the need for returns
Identifying and resolving issues faster
Levels of service
Providing consistent, reliable and fit for purpose solutions

CIBSE – SBS offer an approved CPD course

SBS now has association with the professional body of Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) to offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses via our Regional Product Specialists (RPS).

What is CIBSE?

CIBSE support the building services by providing the members and the public, with information and education relating to the industry.

CIBSE works by accrediting courses of study in further and higher education, as well as approving work-based training programmes. They provide routes to full professional registration and membership; this includes Charted Engineer, Incorporated Engineers and Engineer Technician.

What is a CPD course?

Continued Professional Development is used to describe learning activities that a business can use to develop and enhance their staff knowledge.

A CPD course could be training workshops, conferences, events, e-learning programs, best practice techniques and ideas sharing. These are all focused on an individual to increase professional development.

What will I learn through the SBS approved CPD course?

Our 45-minute presentation serves as a comprehensive introduction to multi-layer composite pipe systems (MLCP), covering the benefits, history, standards, applications, material composition, installation, a comparison to traditional jointing methods and design considerations.

The course is free of charge and is conducted a Smith Brothers Regional Product Specialist, who are always on hand to provide complete technical support to customers can conduct the training at any location or via Microsoft Teams. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion.

BESA Group Affiliate

In 2021, we became an affiliate member of the BESA Group. Established in 1904, BESA’s primary focus is to support and serve members active in the design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, control and management of engineering systems and services in buildings.

What does this mean?

Our customers will be safe in the knowledge that Smith Brothers reach specific standards and regulations that include:

Regular inspections – BESA conducts third party inspections to assess our technical competence and commercial capabilities
Financial evaluations – Our commercial and financial standing is independently evaluated by BESA
Business standards – BESA monitors the business standards, making sure SBS operate fairly and responsibly
Company performance – SBS must perform accordingly to criteria established by a range of industry recognised specifications and good practice
Health and Safety – SBS must adhere to strict health and safety procedures and must promote a positive culture throughout the business – This includes observing the health and safety requirements within the construction industry
Regulations – There are requirements for Smith Brothers to meet certain regulations in place throughout the construction industry
Insurance – Ensure we have in place adequate employers’ and public liability along with professional indemnity cover
Environmental impact – Awareness of the environmental impact and issues is important to BESA, that is why Smith Brothers are on hand to manage any environmental issues that arise within the business
Recruitment and training – When hiring staff, we need to have adequate policies in relation to personnel recruitment, selection, education and training

IOSH

IOSH stands for the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health and is the worlds charted body for safety and health professionals. They were formed in 1945 and has since grown into a leader of the health and safety profession. They aim to transform the world of work, making it safer and healthier every day.

IOSH’s primary strategy “WORK 2022” sets out the steps for all businesses to adhere to, ensuring businesses protect people at work by shaping a safe, healthy and productive work environment.

The three main aims of “WORK 2022” include:

Enhancing the occupational safety and health profession
Collaborating to build strategic partnerships
Influencing positive change and to strengthening the impact globally

The Managing Safely course

After a rigorous application process, which involved demonstrating extensive health & safety (H&S) knowledge, experience and qualifications. Our H&S team has been approved to deliver the market-leading course, IOSH Managing Safely.

The Managing Safely course will be taught to our managers and supervisors, who will learn about the practical actions they need to take when someone is in danger. Our managers will also gain the knowledge and tools to tackle the safety and health issues of their team.

Notably, the course makes a powerful statement that health and safety is an integral part of the day-to-day management of the business.

Does this only benefit our staff?

Even though this course is for our workforce, customers have the peace of mind that whenever you are in the presence of one of our managers or supervisors, they can react to any incident and assess any potential health and safety risks.

Click here for more information about IOSH for businesses.

Worksafe

Worksafe’s origins started in 2007 within a converted garage founded by Chris Parsons. He began developing trainer modules that give instructors everything they need to teach first aid courses today.

Worksafe has since grown into a leader of first aid instructor training with approximately 2,500 instructors (including our own health and safety team) 300 approved providers and over 135,000 students taught.

The accreditation provides our instructors with quality assurance, support, and up-to-date advice on first aid, fire and manual handling compliance. Allowing SBS to have the confidence of being workplace compliant while being quality assured by industry specialists.

Benefits to our customers?

We have trained staff at all locations who can take control of any first aid emergency and understand how to react to different scenarios and proceed with the best solution.

BMTFA

In September 2020, Smith Brothers Stores became members of the British Metal and Tubes Association (BMTFA).

What is BMTFA?

BMTFA is a trade association representing suppliers and manufacturers of metal tube and fittings used in the HVAC marketplace. Industries operating within this area include mechanical engineering, food, petrochemical, marine, power and many more that use metal products for conveying all type of liquids and gases.

Established in 1933, the BMTFA was formed to ensure distributors had access to a regular and reliable supply chain when increased demand had created a fragmented market for malleable fittings. Over the years, the association has widened the scope of products included in its constitution as the need for products has changed.

Member benefits include access to key statistical information on the UK, European and Global markets, along with marketing, technical, education and training support.

Our Representatives

Our BMTFA representatives are Steve Smith (Managing Director), Dave Brown (Supply Chain Director) and Andy Raine (Supply Chain Director). They have expertise and knowledge within the industry, meaning that they can ensure the quality of the products supplied and imported into the UK meets the specifications of the UK, European and World markets.

Managing Director Steve Smith joined SBS in July 1992 as a driver ensuring that he developed an understanding of the industry. Steve gradually worked his way through the business in warehousing, tube stores, trade counter and the sales offices. In 1999 (seven years later), Steve became an Associate Director before becoming a Joint Managing Director in 2006 aged just 37. He became the sole Managing Director of Smith Brothers Stores Ltd in 2017.

Dave Brown joined Smith Brothers in 2016 as Supply Chain Director, bringing over 25 years of unrivalled HVAC industry experience having previously worked for several well-known manufacturers such as Crane, Victaulic, Pegler Yorkshire and Viega.

Last year Andy Raine (Supply Chain Director) joined our company and became another representative for SBS. Andy spent five years working as a Commercial Director in the domestic plumbing and heating market with wholesaler F&P and domestic merchant CPS, both part of the Travis Perkins (TP) group. Before that, he had a long career with BSS Industrial.

IGEM

IGEM stands for the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers. They help SBS by setting measures to achieve and maintain gas to the highest standards of professional competence. They do this by publishing technical standards, delivering high quality events and courses that contribute to professional development throughout the business.

They bring people and businesses together through the membership to share knowledge, expertise, and best practice, specifically working closely with stakeholders from across the industry. IGEM represents the views of their members and the wider gas community, to further enhance the future of gas and energy policies.

The accreditation is licenced by the engineering council to award Chartered Engineer, Incorporated Engineer and Engineering Technician status. Throughout the courses IGEM will assist the learners to become professionally registered engineers.

FORS Accreditation

Since 2015, the business has held the silver Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) accreditation, since upgrading from bronze which was achieved in 2012. The award is granted to our vast fleet of vehicles that service the branches in England, Scotland and Wales.

The scheme is a voluntary accreditation for vehicle fleets such as buses, coaches, vans and trucks. The objectives of the scheme are to improve vehicle safety and efficiency along with protecting the environment.

What does this accreditation mean for our customers?

Being a part of FORS demonstrates that we are committed to our vision to offer value through service. Our staff must gain the required knowledge and skills to meet standards focused on improving road safety, reducing the risk of collisions and identifying vulnerable road users.

Therefore, when a delivery comes to your site, you will know that our staff members are trained to understand the implications of road awareness and the vehicles they drive.

Along with staff training, vehicle selection is also impacted by FORS, as the business needs to meet the environmental standards. Before hitting the road, we also must kit our vehicles out with the latest technology to meet the necessary regulations for the safety of our fleet.

Please lookout for the FORS sticker on our vehicles today!

Click here to find out more about the FORS accreditation within Smith Brothers.

DVS

We also comply with the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) certification, which requires operators of lorries over 12 tonnes of weight, to obtain a permit to enter or operate in Greater London. If the vehicles do not comply with the DVS when going into Greater London, they will receive a penalty charge notice.

The DVS measures how much an HGV driver can see directly through their cab windows, indicating the level of risk to vulnerable road users, such as people walking and cycling near the vehicle.

Accreditation Direct Vision Standard for HGVs is part of the Mayor of London’s Vision Zero plan to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on London’s transport network by 2041.

Click here to find out more about our transport developments within the business.