Author: Patrick Harrington, Operations Manager
I am now approaching my fifth month as Operations Manager at Quinns, and given I had no previous Mechanical & Electrical experience whatsoever, I have learnt so much already.
One aspect of the industry that has surprised me is the volume and regularity of audits which the company must pass to keep its accreditations live. Without these, the business cannot continue to offer our diverse range of specialist services. Indeed, since my first day with the company on 23rd March, Quinns Ltd has been subject to and passed as many as five audits with a six due next month.
There are three key reasons I wanted to raise this:
Firstly, audits are time consuming in terms of preparation and, in addition to membership costs for the various bodies, in some cases are chargeable as well. To cover these costs, the company must regularly revise its hourly rates so that our customers continue to be provided with fully guaranteed, quality installations and maintenance.
Secondly, I wanted to express my admiration for the Technical and Operational Directors at Quinns who prepare meticulously for the audit days themselves, presenting detailed folders of information and in many instances accompany the auditors on site visits. There is a feeling of pressure in the lead up to the day itself and this dedication has led to all audits being successfully passed.
Finally, it would be remiss of me not to mention the auditors themselves. Our MD, Kris Quinn, is at pains to ensure a warm welcome is received, each guest is treated with respect and of course offered regular refreshments. In return, I have to say that each auditor has been incredibly supportive, pulling in the same direction as the company and giving guidance where appropriate. This enables us to demonstrate continual improvement and keep up with the inevitable changes that occur.
Audits are not going away; they are necessary for businesses like ours to maintain integrity, continue operating in our niche sectors and add to our skillset. For a company of our size, it can be a challenge to keep so many plates spinning, but we will continue to embrace rather than dread the events and use them in a positive manner. Wish us luck for the next one!
