EQC

December 2007
Euro Quality Coatings Ltd is delighted to receive the 2007 Wales Quality Award - Manufacturing Prize. Our success is extremely gratifying, coming as it does in just our second year of entry to the awards and following on from last year’s award of the Environmental Prize.

This second consecutive award demonstrates the efforts and initiatives made by the whole team at EQC, particularly with regard to our understanding and implementation of many of the improvements highlighted by last year’s feedback from the awards process and demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement activities.

The past year has been important in the development and growth of Euro Quality Coatings as one of the most respected trade powder coaters in the U.K. Major investments in production plant and job creation have been made in an effort to expand and enhance our culture of quality, flexibility and capacity to our customers..

March 2007
EQC have launched forward with the next stage of their ambitious expansion programme. March 2007 has seen the batch finishing facility relocated from its original 300 m2 footprint into a new 770 m2 building adjacent to EQC’s automatic processing plant; both plants now having a common warehouse and material movement facility. As well as occupying a bigger area EQC have invested in an additional 5m curing oven boosting the capacity of this facility by 30%. The improved location of the plant will also allow for a greater synergy between the two processing areas.

The availability of manual spray techniques working alongside a high volume automatic conveyorised system enables EQC to provide customers with a truly flexible service. Both volume and small batch orders can be processed with the manual spray facility typically processing smaller volume demands as well as components which lend themselves more to manual spraying e.g. due to complicated application issues or masking requirements.

October / November 2006
Following successful accreditation to Green Dragon level 5 during March 2006, EQC have continued to push forward on environmental and quality improvements and put themselves forward as entrants in two highly prestigious quality awards during the last quarter of 2006.
During October 2006 EQC were successful in winning the Wales Business and sustainability award 2006 for Environmental Management Systems for companies with less than 50 employees (www.walessustainabilityawards.com/winners.html)
During November 2006 EQC were successful in winning The Wales Quality Award 2006 Environment prize (www.walesqualitycentre.org.uk)
Both awards, as 1st time entrants, and secured against world class opposition, demonstrate fully the company’s commitment to both quality and the environment and continue to reflect the importance the business places on long term sustainability and best practice.

March 2006
Following awards received to both Level 3 and Level 4 of the Welsh Green Dragon environmental award during 2005, EQC have continued in their pursuit to reach the upper echelons of Environmental compliance. Environmental Assessment during March 2006 took the company to the maximum level 5 accreditation, a level which meets or exceeds the requirements of ISO 14001. This award, in conjunction with the Companies ISO and IIP accreditation's, further demonstrates the commitment of the business to the environment, at a time when the Metal finishing Industry is being placed under continual environmental review pressures, and underpins the culture of “best practice” throughout the business. Details on the Green Dragon scheme and a copy of our Environmental policy can be found on www.greendragonems.com

November 2005
EQC achieve accreditation to level four of the Green Dragon Environmental standard having in place the procedures and personnel necessary to comply fully with best practice procedures in this important area. Fully understanding the importance of the local and national environment and the effect manufacturing can have in this area, and with particular regard to disposal of special and hazardous waste, the company now plans to continue along this path to attain the highest accreditation level within the Green Dragon standard, which will exceed the requirements of ISO 14001.

March 2005
EQC gain an important new contract to powder coat roof rails for the BMW 5 series. This contract, working in partnership with a major Automotive OEM calls for EQC to employ powder coating technology at the cutting edge of the Industry with extremely exacting cosmetically critical and functional tolerances having to be achieved. The project will run alongside existing Automotive contracts working with top end Automotive marques such as Jaguar, Bentley, Renault, Vauxhall, Nissan, Mitsubishi and other automotive manufacturers.

December 2004
EQC achieve accreditation to level three of the Green Dragon Environmental standard having in place the procedures and personnel necessary to comply fully with best practice procedures in this important area. Fully understanding the importance of the local and national environment and the effect manufacturing can have in this area, and with particular regard to disposal of special and hazardous waste, the company now plans to continue along this path to attain the highest accreditation level within the Green Dragon standard, which will exceed the requirements of ISO 14001.

September 2004
EQC demonstrate their continued commitment to developing their staff at all levels of the business having obtained the Investors in People standard. The Management team at EQC fully understand that, to get the best out of the business, and thus provide the highest level of service to their clientele, then the belief and involvement of the workforce must be instilled within the culture of the whole organisation. It was this commitment to the training and interaction of the staff that lead to the successful pursuit of this highly prized award.

June 2004
EQC embark a new £150,000 phase of investment in the very best powder coating equipment and technology available having purchased a new ITW Gema powder-coating centre. This investment in the latest powder coating technology is much more than just an additional application booth but is yet another example of EQC's continued commitment to investing in and utilising leading equipment and best practice that the industry can offer. The 'magic cube' centre will give EQC far greater efficiency of operation thus considerably reducing the downtime between colour changes and allowing them to react more effectively to customer needs in the ever demanding arena of trade finishing. The investment also includes the installation of full air conditioning within the powder coating clean room area providing a positive pressurised environment and state of the art automation with in the application area. The new 'magic cube' centre is expected to be operational by the end of August 2004.