From Crossrail and HS2 to Hinkley Point, major infrastructure projects depend on rigorous engineering standards, reliable electrical control systems and the expertise of specialist manufacturers. As World Standards Day is marked on 14 October, Banelec Managing Director Dean Banner reflects on the importance of quality assurance in delivering complex engineering programmes.
Britain’s largest civil engineering projects bring together thousands of contractors, manufacturers and specialist suppliers, each working to demanding technical specifications. For electrical engineering and automation specialist Banelec, quality management and recognised industry standards have long been central to its work across industrial and infrastructure projects.
The company has contributed its engineering expertise to major programmes including Crossrail, HS2 and Hinkley Point, where electrical installations, control systems and associated equipment must meet exacting requirements for safety, reliability and operational performance. Dean Banner, Managing Director of Banelec, believes the importance of established standards becomes particularly apparent when engineering teams work across large, complex projects.
“When you’re involved in something on the scale of Crossrail, HS2 or Hinkley Point, every contractor has a responsibility to deliver work that meets the required specification,” said Banner. “These projects involve enormous investment and engineering complexity. The customer needs confidence in the systems being supplied, the people installing them and the processes used to verify their performance. That’s where recognised standards and robust quality management make such a difference.”
Banelec’s commitment to recognised standards is reflected in its portfolio of industry certifications, approvals and professional registrations. These include ISO 9001 quality management certification, SafeContractor approval and SafePQQ verification, alongside credentials associated with ATEX and IECEx requirements for equipment and systems operating in potentially explosive atmospheres.
As a registered Schneider Electric Systems Integrator, Banelec brings recognised technical expertise to the design and integration of industrial automation and electrical control systems. Its capabilities span electrical control systems, PLC programming, industrial automation, electrical installation and specialist crane engineering, supporting customers across manufacturing, energy, infrastructure and other demanding industrial environments.
“Quality starts with understanding exactly what the customer needs and making sure the engineering solution is appropriate for the application,” Banner continued.
“Our engineers work through the design, manufacture, installation and commissioning stages with a clear focus on compliance and performance. Having established procedures gives customers confidence and provides our own teams with a consistent framework for delivering their work.”
World Standards Day recognises the contribution of international standards and the experts responsible for developing them. For businesses supplying major infrastructure programmes, common technical standards also help different organisations coordinate their work, manage complex supply chains and maintain consistent expectations across individual contracts Banner believes Britain’s specialist engineering businesses have an important contribution to make as investment continues in transport, energy and industrial infrastructure.
“British engineering has an excellent reputation, and companies like ours have spent years developing the skills, experience and quality systems needed to work on major projects,” he said “We’re proud of our involvement in nationally significant programmes and equally proud of the work we carry out for customers across the wider manufacturing sector.
“World Standards Day is a good opportunity to recognise the people behind that work. From the engineers designing control panels to the teams installing and commissioning systems on site, everyone has a part to play in maintaining the standards our customers expect.”
For Banelec, those principles remain central to its approach as the company continues to support customers in the UK and internationally.