Swanbuild has a commitment to quality and to the ongoing improvement all aspects of our building process. This ensures that your dream home can be maintained and enjoyed for many years to come. We pride ourselves on the high quality materials that we use, the speed and accuracy of our building process and our excellent customer service. Our ongoing and open communication with our clients, as well as our high quality finished product, means that our customers have a home they can truly be proud of. But don’t take our word for it. Swanbuild holds recognised certificates in ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management and ISO 45911:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.
What do these certificates mean for our customers?
These certificates demonstrate that the systems we have in place are accredited by an international body. The acronym ISO, in these certificates, stands for International Standardization Organization. The International Standardization Organization is a not for profit organisation which systemises international best practice across various industries. In the construction industry they ensure that buildings abide by technical requirements and are fit and safe for their purpose.
What is ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems?
Achieving certification in Quality Management Systems means that a business has met the requirements to deliver quality to customers in an ongoing capacity. It ensures our operations: are more cost effective; that we are compliant to the requirements; and that the build is closely supervised. Companies which have undergone the accreditation are also regularly audited to ensure that they are maintaining the required standard. This is a huge comfort to customers and, as it is not a compulsory industry standard, those who utilise this certification definitely stand out from other companies which have not undergone this rigorous process.
Some key parts of the Quality Management Systems certification that are relevant to construction companies and their customers include:
- Context of the Organisation: This involves looking at any external bodies that may affect the way the builder operates, such as government guidelines or the supply chain for the business. Fitting these into the building process seamlessly means a speedy and more efficient build.
- Leadership: This was introduced in the 2015 certification and focuses on enhancing leadership by making it clear who has which responsibilities and having shared goals. A team that works well together will be more effective in meeting requirements and deadlines.
- Planning: The planning process is integral and looks at any risks or opportunities. For an efficient build process, like Swanbuild Homes undertakes, planning is vital to the project running smoothly and successfully.
- Support: To continually meet their QMS requirements, the company must ensure that it has the support and resources to establish, maintain and improve the system.
- Operation: Each part of the project needs to have the intended output to ensure that the end product reaches the customer with the expected quality. Due to the tight time frame of modular homes, the efficiency of the operation is key to a successful build.
- Performance Evaluation: Companies have a process to continually evaluate their performance and enable them to fine-tune and improve procedures. Builders need to deliver their homes at the promised time and at the highest quality.
- Improvement: Problems and complaints need to be reviewed to ensure that quality is maintained or exceeds expectations. Customers should be encouraged to seek out a builder with a QMS accreditation. A company that is committed to continually improving is one that you want to have in your corner when you undertake the biggest project of perhaps your lifetime.
- Process approach: Pulling a project with various elements togethers, (timelines, budgets, various stakeholders) is a difficult juggle. The process of factory-built modular homes requires careful consideration of all of these.
As you can see, builders who incorporate the systems mentioned above, are more likely to deliver a quality product to the customer by the required date.
What is ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems?
Reducing our environmental impact and offering sustainable alternatives is increasingly more important to clients across all industries, and construction is no exception. A major component of securing this certification is the reduction of waste but it also touches on minimising our carbon footprint and improving our environmental impact.
Creating an environmental management system from scratch is a big ask, so the ISO organisation sends out a consultant to review the environmental impact of a particular business’ practices. From this consultation they develop the documentation and policies that, once in operation properly, means the company is certified in Environmental Management Systems.
This certification gives customers peace of mind that there is an ongoing, effective system in place to ensure best practice is being followed with regard to the environment.
What is ISO 45991:2018 Occupation Health and Safety Management Systems?
This certificate focuses on reducing workplace illness and injury. It involves being able to identify and prevent hazards, minimising incidents and as a result, legalities and liabilities. For customers of Swanbuild Homes, this translates to a safer workplace which means more satisfied and efficient workers. The less obstacles, both literally and figuratively, the smoother the construction process, and the better the end result.
These certifications are much more than a jumble of numbers to be framed and hung on a wall. They are Swanbuild’s testament of our commitment to enduring quality and ongoing evaluation of our systems to ensure the best result for anyone who chooses to build with us.
