May 14 2013
Exova, one of the world’s leading testing groups, has further strengthened its partnership with United Utilities through a new three year agreement.
The minimum three year framework agreement will see Exova provide materials testing and audit services to the utilities giant.
Exova’s project management structure will support United Utilities with dedicated expertise, using its decades of experience in the water industry, with five PhD qualified specialists and two qualified expert witnesses on the team.
Exova’s utilities team – part of the group’s Industrials division – will provide services including site inspection, and support and advice on standards and legislation.
The contract was signed at the utility giant’s Warrington headquarters by Lorraine Morton, category manager, outsourced, professional, consultancy and HR for United Utilities, and Mike Pooley, Exova’s European managing director.
Also present were United Utilities’ Pam Booth, lead category buyer, Steve Holland, quality manager, Martin Padley, head of quality and scientific services, Nick Preston, civil engineering manager, Cate Cartledge, street works manager, and Jason Warrilow, delivery compliance manager.
Exova’s team included Tim Cornes, sector director for Industrials, Philip Norville, sector sales director, David Carey, technical account manager, and David Carr, operations manager, utilities.
Exova will be utilising three of its UKAS accredited laboratories in Salford, Trafford Park and Shotton in Deeside, 14 fully equipped mobile laboratories and a number of utility sector experts to carry out the contract.
Exova is a recognised expertise in the utilities sector, pioneering the testing of pipeline materials on-site and winning awards for its innovation in non destructive testing of welded joints in polyethylene pipes.
Tim Cornes, sector director for Exova’s Industrials division, said: “Customers in the UK water utilities sector require extensive industry experience and expertise to ensure the quality of new installations and extend the life of legacy assets.
“As well as services including pressure testing of pipes and fittings, Exova will work closely with the team at United Utilities to provide ongoing training including on-site coaching on best practice.
“As we grow our services even further for the utilities sector, we believe this kind of collaborative working can bring real benefits for the customer.”
The testing group has also been invited to join the United Utilities Water Top 50 Supplier Relationship Process, a recognition of the value Exova provides to the business, and a move which further strengthens the relationship between the two companies.
Lorraine Morton, United Utilities category manager, said: “Exova is one of our strategic suppliers and this framework award will drive through supplier performance, gain added value and seek innovation and best practice from our suppliers. Getting the most from third parties is very important to us.
“All this will support United Utilities in its vision to become a leading North West service provider and one of the best water and wastewater companies in the UK.”
Exova is the world’s largest dedicated testing group, trusted by organisations to test and advise on the safety, quality and performance of their products and operations.
Exova’s capabilities help to extend asset life, bring predictability to applications, and shorten the time to market for customers’ products, processes and materials.
With over 90 years’ experience, Exova specialises in testing across a number key sectors from food and pharmaceuticals to aerospace, oil and gas, fire, engineering and construction.
Exova operates 111 permanent facilities in 22 countries and employs more than 3,500 people throughout Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia/Asia Pacific.