Enabling Compliance to Unlock Multimillion Pound Construction Contracts
Challenge / Problem
The client lacked the detailed management system knowledge and regulatory understanding required to comply with the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). As a result, they were on the brink of missing out on a series of lucrative opportunities.
Major £2 million plus contracts were being offered, but only on the condition that the company could legitimately demonstrate CPR compliance and apply the correct UKCA / CE marking to its products.
Without immediate action, these transformational projects would slip through their fingers.
Client Overview
The client is a family owned business specialising in the design, manufacture, and installation of bespoke steel fabricated and welded structures. Their products fall under the scope of the Construction Products Regulation and the associated harmonised standards:
- BS EN 1090 for structural steel
- BS EN ISO 3834 for welding
One of the key contracts at risk involved the manufacture of 40 giant structural steel frames used to support massive digital advertising hoardings. Losing this work would have meant losing both revenue and crucial market credibility.
Approach and Solution
The first step was to map out the full lifecycle of the company’s operations, including:
- Initial enquiry and scoping
- Concept and detailed design
- Submission, approval, and acceptance
- Purchasing and supplier control
- Production planning
- Manufacturing (welding, assembly, fabrication, inspection)
- Delivery
- Installation and onsite welding
- Client sign-off
Detailed flowcharts were created for each stage, cross-referencing every activity with the relevant requirements of BS EN 1090 and BS EN ISO 3834. These became the backbone of the company’s Factory Production Control (FPC) system, a mandatory requirement for CE/UKCA marking.
New systems were also developed to ensure full technical compliance, for instance:
- Assessing the execution class of each contract
- Calibrating all welding equipment
- Developing and approving Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS)
- Ensuring all welders were fully qualified and coded
- Appointing and training a Responsible Welding Coordinator (RWC)
- Enhancing weld traceability and recordkeeping
- Sourcing exclusively from CE approved suppliers
- Presentation of technical file and declaration of conformity
- Implementing robust documentation control and storage
This work transformed the business from partial compliance and uncertainty into a company able to demonstrate complete technical conformity with confidence.
Outcome and Impact
The company underwent a full assessment by TÜV, covering both:
- ISO 9001 quality management
- BS EN 1090 technical assessment of the Factory Production Control system
They passed both audits at the very first attempt, a significant achievement given the technical complexity involved.
As a result:
- The client secured two major contracts that had previously been at risk
- Additional new business followed, driven by their now demonstrable capability
- The company positioned itself as a credible, trusted supplier for largescale structural steel projects
What began as a potential barrier became a powerful competitive advantage, propelling the business into the next tier of opportunity.