Briggs Equipment reinforces utilities expertise as a verified Achilles B2 supplier

Materials handling specialist Briggs Equipment is underlining its credentials as a preferred supplier in the utilities marketplace. Having secured the Achilles Utility Vendor Database (UVDB) Verify B2 audit certificate, the company has retained its accreditation, scoring well over 90% for the implementation of its management systems during an external operational site review.

Achieving the independent B2 audit certificate has enabled Briggs Equipment to validate its health and safety processes and systems, therefore demonstrating its commitment to training, quality standards and environmental sustainability. As a result, the company has been able to raise its profile via the Achilles database, a key resource used by gas, oil and water businesses and 
leading facilities management companies to manage risk within the supply chain and comply with 
EU regulations. 

Briggs Equipment is already a major supplier in the industry, responsible for servicing, repairing and maintaining a wide range of plant hire equipment, including mini diggers and trailers. It works directly for key operators in the sector and also for facilities management specialists that the utilities appoint to take charge of their mechanical handling plant/equipment fleets. 

To achieve Achilles UVDB Verify B2 accreditation Briggs Equipment underwent a rigorous two-day assessment at its national operations centre in Cannock, Staffordshire, during which the company’s Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) management systems were evaluated. This was followed by a review at a working site to determine how well these systems are being implemented and therefore also identified the internal engagement of these systems within the Company. Briggs Equipment is committed to meeting the standards for contractors and suppliers who work on operational sites that are owned or controlled by the utilities. 

The company has reinforced its credentials at the obligatory annual one-day working site audit. During this independent assessment, Briggs Equipment not only demonstrated consistency across its practices and procedures, but also achieved exceptionally high standards, scoring well over 90% on all aspects of the audit at an operational site in the Midlands. A further review of Briggs Equipment’s management systems and processes is scheduled for autumn 2015. 

Briggs Equipment employs its own UK-wide team of 600 engineers; one of the country’s largest mobile engineering workforces. All engineers are highly trained and undergo regular retraining to ensure they stay abreast of industry developments and technological advances. 

Gavin Wickham, Operations Director at Briggs Equipment, said: “We are very proud to be a fully registered Achilles B2 supplier, passing this assessment underlines our ability to service, repair and maintain a wide range of utilities plant. As an Achilles verified supplier working to reduce risk and lower the cost of compliance, we look forward to developing our reputation within the collaborative utilities community.”