ACR Journal

09 NEWS BCIA MARKS 30TH ANNIVERSARY The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) is celebrating its 30th anniversary, having grown from 11 members in its earliest days to around 120 members, accounting for 80 per cent of the UK’s building controls market. Originally launched as the Building Controls Group (BCG) by Secretary of State for Energy John Wakeham in 1991, the BCIA has become a single voice in the Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) sector to promote better understanding, application and use of building controls. Before its inception many companies operating in the controls sector had felt for some time that there was no single focus for their efforts to strengthen and develop the technology. It was subsequently decided to set up a new group within the Energy Systems Trade Association (ESTA). The new group’s key objectives were to establish a professional Code of Conduct, and advance technical standards, contract conditions and training and marketing the benefits of controlling energy usage and making potential users aware of the technology available to them. These core aims are still at the heart of the BCIA’s activity 30 years later, something which the organisation is proud to celebrate annually with the BCIA Awards, first hosted in 2007 and now attracting record numbers of entries and guests year after year. BCIA president Terry Sharp believes the 30th anniversary is something for all BCIA members to be proud of. He said: “For the BCIA to be going strong after all these years is a tremendous achievement only made possible by its members and their devotion to its cause. Not only are we still going, but the rate at which the BCIA has expanded and increased its presence and influence within its own sector and in the wider industry owes a huge credit to the efforts of the members, committees and working groups involved in its ongoing success.” SURE Solutions recognised for growth Birkenhead-based industrial refrigeration specialist SURE Solutions has been named amongst the fastest-growing businesses in the North West. The Ward Hadaway Fastest 50, in association with Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, ranks SURE at number 11, with annual turnover growth of 59.24 per cent to £10.5 million. Based on financial data filed with Companies House, the list is ordered by average turnover growth, which has been assessed on a percentage increase based on the difference between turnover figures filed for the last three years. In addition to being ranked overall, SURE was also fifth in its category. Operations director Craig Shaw, pictured, said: “We’re very proud and humbled to win this award and join such prestigious company on the Fastest 50 list, but the achievement is testament to the effort and progression across the team. “We worked hard in organising ourselves for the next stages of our growth and it’s positive for all of us to be recognised, especially in the challenging times we face. I’m delighted for the team.” “WE WORKED HARD IN ORGANISING OURSELVES FOR THE NEXT STAGES OF OUR GROWTH AND IT’S POSITIVE FOR ALL OF US TO BE RECOGNISED..." BCIA president, Terry Sharp