Historic Agreement with ICW

CUPA Natural Slate, the largest producer of natural slate in the world, have become the first ever 'Affiliate Member' of the Institue of Clerks of Works following the signing of a historic agreement at the Hilton Stansted Hotel on 23 January 2006.

Affiliate Membership is only offered to those companies or individuals that demonstrate, through their own commercial and quality assurance activity, that they espouse the aims and ideals of the Institute and in so doing are able to support and develop the quality issues that we exist to promote throughout the industry.

CUPA Natural Slate has provided some exceptional CPD seminars to the Chapters and at our Annual Conference, has supported the Institute in a variety of ways including sponsorship of our Biennial Awards programme, and has opened its Spanish quarries and factories to the scrutiny of several members, including

Charles Lowrie MICW, the Institute's newly appointed 'Affiliate Member Coordinator' who made a very strong and positive recommendation to the Council at their meeting in December. 'Not only do CUPA go to great lengths to ensure that they provide the highest quality product, their after sales support is very comprehensive, they are fully committed to the constant research and development aspects of their business and, crucially, they are very keen to promote the independent inspection of their products (and its installation) by ICW members', said Charles.

Lewis McNeice, Marketing Director of CUPA GROUP said 'We are delighted and honoured in having met the exacting standards of the Institute in achieving Affiliate Membership, and hope that this is the beginning of a long and beneficial relationship, as we work together to enhance the profile of our mutual demands for 'quality' in the construction industry'.

Charles Lowrie said, 'This type of membership is ideal for organisations that wish to promote their quality standards through association with the Institute - 'The Professional Body for the Construction Inspectorate''. 'However, it is not easy - Affiliate Status will never be awarded lightly - each and every application will be considered on its merits, and all organisations will be fully and rigorously scrutinised to ensure that they meet our exceptionally high standards'. 'CUPA Natural Slate stands out as a shining example of what we are looking for and we are very pleased to be able to welcome them into the Institute as our first Affiliate Members.'