Latest news with #UKAS-accredited
The Herald Scotland
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish 'centre of excellence' sold to French giant
The move comes a year after Socotec, whose British operation is based in Burton-upon-Trent, took over Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys of Irvine. It is Socotec's 14th acquisition across the UK and Ireland since 2018. Read more: 'Joining forces with Socotec UK and Ireland provides an exciting opportunity to expand our testing provisions and deliver enhanced services to our clients," Mr Brown said. 'Our East Kilbride facility has become the centre of excellence for fire testing in UK, and as part of Socotec, we look forward to building on that legacy while accessing wider resources and expertise.' UKTC is an established provider of fire resistance testing, reaction to fire testing, and certification services across multiple building materials and systems. Its UKAS-accredited facilities carry out comprehensive assessments of products and materials against British, European, and international standards, supporting manufacturers, specifiers, and building owners in meeting increasingly stringent fire regulations. Socotec's global expertise extends to more than 300 fire safety experts worldwide. Its portfolio includes specialised centres of excellence across Europe, the Middle East and the USA. 'The acquisition of UKTC represents a significant milestone in our growth strategy and commitment to enhancing building safety across the UK," said Matthew Marriott, head of Socotec in the UK and Ireland. "This marks our second acquisition in Scotland within the last 12 months, demonstrating our intention to continue investing in this important region, as well as developing our capabilities to serve clients through the UK and Ireland.'
Scotsman
14-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Fire testing firm acquired by safety experts
SOCOTEC UK and Ireland, a provider of testing, inspection and certification services, has announced the acquisition of United Kingdom Testing and Certification (UKTC), a renowned independent fire testing laboratory based in East Kilbride. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The strategic acquisition significantly expands SOCOTEC's capabilities in the critical field of fire safety and compliance, while reinforcing the company's growing presence in Scotland, with its second acquisition in the country, following the purchase of Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys last July. The move is part of the firm's wider growth strategy, which has seen fourteen total acquisitions made by SOCOTEC UK and Ireland since 2018. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad UKTC's acquisition marks the latest in a series of strategic investments by SOCOTEC designed to strengthen its building safety and compliance services. This expansion comes in direct response to the evolving regulatory landscape following the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the introduction of the Building Safety Act. UKTC has been acquired by SOCOTEC UK and Ireland UKTC has established itself as a trusted provider of fire resistance testing, reaction to fire testing, and certification services across multiple building materials and systems. The laboratory's UKAS-accredited facilities enable a comprehensive assessment of products and materials against British, European, and international standards, supporting manufacturers, specifiers, and building owners in meeting increasingly stringent fire regulations. SOCOTEC CEO Hervé Montjotin said: 'The move aligns with SOCOTEC Group's global expertise in fire safety, with over 300 fire safety experts worldwide, allowing the UK operation to leverage internationally held knowledge and skillsets from across the company's presence in 27 countries. SOCOTEC's global fire and building safety portfolio includes specialised centres of excellence across Europe, the Middle East and the USA.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Matthew Marriott, CEO of SOCOTEC UK and Ireland, said: 'The acquisition of UKTC represents a significant milestone in our growth strategy and commitment to enhancing building safety across the UK. This marks our second acquisition in Scotland within the last 12 months, demonstrating our intention to continue investing in this important region, as well as developing our capabilities to serve clients through the UK and Ireland.' David Brown, Director at UKTC, will continue to lead the laboratory operations under SOCOTEC ownership, and added: 'Joining forces with SOCOTEC UK and Ireland provides an exciting opportunity to expand our testing provisions and deliver enhanced services to our clients. 'Our East Kilbride facility has become the centre of excellence for fire testing in UK, and as part of SOCOTEC, we look forward to building on that legacy while accessing wider resources and expertise.'
Western Telegraph
07-06-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Milford Haven hotel recognised as one of the best in Wales
Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront, part of The Celtic Collection, has achieved Level 4 of the UKAS-accredited Green Dragon Environmental Standard, making it one of the first hotels in Wales to do so. The Green Dragon accreditation, owned and accredited by Groundwork Wales, recognises businesses for their commitment to environmental management and sustainable practices. Katy Stevenson, chief executive of Groundwork Wales, said: "We are delighted to have worked with the Celtic Collection and ICC Wales for a number of years, accrediting their venues through the Green Dragon Environmental Standard and now uplifting to Level 4. "This demonstrates consistent improvement and progress across a large and complex business." The award-winning hotel, which was named Hotel of the Year at the South West Wales Tourism Awards in 2024, is one of seven Celtic Collection properties to receive the Level 4 accreditation. The Celtic Collection includes the flagship Celtic Manor Resort in Newport and has more than 30 years of sustainable business practice. The group has committed to achieving net zero by 2050. Fitzroy Hutchinson, energy and environment manager at The Celtic Collection, said: "We are committed to making sustainability part of our everyday. "Having held the Green Dragon Environmental Standard at Level 3 at the Celtic Manor Resort for 20 years, we are delighted that our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and our environmental impact have resulted in us achieving Level 4 across The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales. "We have made significant investment in our facilities to minimise our energy and water consumption, reduce our waste and raise our recycling levels but perhaps the most pleasing aspect of Level 4 recognition is that it reflects the enthusiastic participation of our team. "More than 1,300 people have been trained to recognise and enhance our sustainability practices and we have proactive working groups in all properties and across every department. "This engagement has been instrumental in reaching the Level 4 standard." All Celtic Collection properties source 100 per cent of their electricity from REGO-backed renewable supplies, send zero waste to landfill, and recycle food waste into renewable energy. Waste oil is also converted into biodiesel. In 2024, the group opened Tŷ Hotel Newport, Wales' first all-electric large hotel. At Celtic Manor Resort, sustainability efforts include planting 5,000 trees, installing 120 bird boxes, and introducing four beehives housing 150,000 honeybees. ICC Wales, also part of the collection, champions sustainability through eliminating single-use plastics, using locally sourced produce, and maintaining Green Meetings Certified status.
South Wales Argus
06-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Top environmental award for Celtic Collection of hotels
The Celtic Collection, which includes the Celtic Manor Resort and other properties in South Wales and the West, has been awarded Level 4 of the Green Dragon Environmental Standard across seven of its hotels and the International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales). This achievement marks a significant step forward in the group's sustainability journey. Fitzroy Hutchinson, energy and environment manager at The Celtic Collection, said: "With a track record of over 30 years of sustainable business practice, we are committed to making sustainability part of our everyday. "Having held the Green Dragon Environmental Standard at Level 3 at the Celtic Manor Resort for 20 years, we are delighted that our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and our environmental impact have resulted in us achieving Level 4 across The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales. "We have made significant investment in our facilities to minimise our energy and water consumption, reduce our waste and raise our recycling levels but perhaps the most pleasing aspect of Level 4 recognition is that it reflects the enthusiastic participation of our team. "More than 1,300 people have been trained to recognise and enhance our sustainability practices and we have proactive working groups in all properties and across every department. "This engagement has been instrumental in reaching the Level 4 standard." The Green Dragon Environmental Standard is a UKAS-accredited certification owned and operated by Groundwork Wales. The Celtic Collection's Level 4 accreditation places it among just 19 organisations in Wales to reach this level or higher. Katy Stevenson, chief executive of Groundwork Wales, said: "We are delighted to have worked with the Celtic Collection and ICC Wales for a number of years, accrediting their venues through the Green Dragon Environmental Standard and now uplifting to Level 4. "This demonstrates consistent improvement and progress across a large and complex business." The Celtic Collection's commitment to sustainability is reflected in its daily operations and long-term investments. All of its properties use 100 per cent REGO-backed renewable electricity, send zero waste to landfill, and convert food waste into renewable energy and waste oil into biodiesel. In 2024, the group launched Tŷ Hotel Newport, the first all-electric large hotel in Wales. The hotel features energy-efficient electric ovens and induction hobs that use 40 per cent less energy than traditional gas equipment. At the Celtic Manor Resort, a new environment and ecology stewardship manager has led the planting of 5,000 trees, the installation of 120 bird boxes, and the introduction of four beehives supporting 150,000 honeybees. ICC Wales has also taken major steps to reduce its environmental impact, including eliminating single-use plastics and focusing on locally sourced produce. The venue offsets 465 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually thanks to its 230 acres of woodland, and its smart building management system helps minimise energy use. The Celtic Collection includes Celtic Manor Resort, Coldra Court Hotel, Newbridge on Usk, The Parkgate Hotel, and Tŷ Hotels in Magor, Newport, and Milford Waterfront. The group first achieved Level 3 in 2005, with the Celtic Manor Resort and ICC Wales reaching Level 4 in 2024. Other properties were brought up to the same standard in 2025.
