Miguel Blanco (AENOR): "Certification is a useful tool for finding and attracting new clients"
Companies that install and maintain automatic doors should find that certification is a useful tool when presenting their business to the market and finding and attracting new customers. So says Miguel Blanco, AENOR's Certification Development Technician and Secretary of the 085 Technical Certification Committee, in the following interview, in which he also discusses the new challenges and opportunities that these certificates bring.
Miguel Blanco is a Certification Development Technician at AENOR and Secretary of the 085 Technical Certification Committee installation and maintenance services for industrial, commercial and garage doors, gates, automatic pedestrian doors and fire doors. He highlights the significant benefit of certifications for companies operating in the industry.
What are the benefits of certifications for business and industry?
When they are granted in accordance with AENOR's rigour and independence, certifications are synonymous with trust. This is because they signify that an audit team has confirmed that a management system has been correctly implemented; that the service is provided in accordance with standards; and, in the case of product certification, that the product meets the requirements expected of it.
How are certifications specifically related to the automatic door industry and what do they provide?
AENOR has a specific product certification kitemark for this sector of the market, managed by the 085 Technical Certification Committee (CTC-085). It is granted to companies who offer installation and maintenance services for industrial doors, commercial garage doors and gates, including fire doors.
Based on the needs of the industry represented under AENOR's 085 Technical Certification Committee, a procedure has been designed with the help of companies, industry associations, authorities, professionals and experts in machinery, testing (electrical, materials, fire), quality systems and service.
The AENOR kitemark for installation and maintenance services for industrial doors, commercial garage doors and gates (including fire doors) requires companies to pay the utmost attention to their clients, with clear commitments, detailed offers and contracts, and rigorous maintenance plans carried out by competent, trained and formal staff. As with all products, AENOR conducts annual control audits and deals with any complaints that arise.
What are the future challenges and opportunities for certifications in this industry?
There are many challenges. And, of course, in overcoming them, opportunities emerge. These challenges are common to other certification products, and the first of these is that AENOR's certificates must meet the demands of all interested parties - of which there are many.
Companies that install and maintain automatic doors of all types should find that this certification is accessible to them and helpful when presenting themselves to the market and when looking for new customers (private properties, residents' associations, public tenders, industry, building and infrastructure maintenance companies, and so on).
Certification also enables public authorities and market surveillance authorities to identify which certified companies best meet regulatory requirements: EU and EC regulations, standards and so on... each market has its own particular requirements and AENOR's certification is designed to meet them all.