Under this new SOE Workshop Accreditation, qualified engineers will audit workshops to give operators the ability to choose maintenance provision with confidence. The scheme will champion and recognise best practice in workshop procedures, enabling operators and manufacturers that are involved in vehicle maintenance to choose workshops that have been independently assessed to SOE quality assured standards.

SOE MD, Ian Chisholm, says: “The aim is simple – to deliver a quality, independent accreditation service supporting both maintenance providers and operators, whilst continuing to improve standards. Accredited workshops will receive the SOE’s stamp of approval, highlighting compliance in key areas, such as premises, equipment, technical staff, management, clerical staff, documentation, quality and appearance.”

Maintenance providers receiving SOE Workshop Accreditation will benefit from inclusion in the SOE Workshop Accreditation Register, thereby demonstrating commitment to delivering high levels of service. This online database of accredited maintenance providers includes information on location, facilities, fleet availability, RIDDOR stats, ISO accreditations and more.

Organisations with in-house maintenance provision can also benefit from accreditation, which can support the development of workshop standards, such as ensuring that correct and efficient documental procedures are in place and CPD and training available to all technicians. This allows the organisation to prove to the public that their sites work in a safe and secure manner, taking steps to improve the image of the engineering industry.

Phil Dunn, Toyota Material Handling’s group manager corporate accounts, states: “As a major manufacturer and maintenance provider of MHE fleets, we felt it important to lend our support to the development of this scheme as an independent approach and assessment will help improve the standards and view of our industry.”

Supporters of the scheme believe it will provide an independent benchmark enabling easy and informed decision-making from customers, whilst also improving the overall standard of maintenance within the MHE industry. Sainsbury’s Operations Support Manager, Gary King, says: "Supporting the development of industry standards within our MHE workshops is extremely important to Sainsbury’s. After the addition of IRTE Workshop Accreditation to our HGV sites, we believe it is imperative to continue this development throughout all workshops under the Sainsbury’s umbrella. We know the SOE’s independence and knowledge will help the further development of standards within the MHE industry and ensure a safe and secure maintenance environment for technicians and end-users alike."

Ian Chisholm added: "With so much at stake, companies need assurances they are getting the standard of workshop service they expect. This enterprise will afford buyers of maintenance provision with a confidence that has been sorely lacking until now."

To register an interest in having your workshops accredited by the SOE, please visit the SOE website – www.soe.org.uk