Epsilon NEWS

Epsilon & Intertek

At Epsilon, our goal has always been to deliver first class quality services to our clients that deliver your products to market quickly and are fully compliant with all regulatory requirements. In working to deliver this goal now and in the future, we’ve recognised the need for physical growth and the investment of additional resources. With this in mind, we are pleased to inform you that as of 7^th February  2008, Epsilon has become part of Intertek.

In choosing Intertek, we carefully considered the ongoing needs of our clients and employees. Intertek have extensive expertise and experience in delivering testing and certification services across the world, and in addition to our ATEX and IECEx services, we can now offer access to the North American Market via the ETL mark and an expanded portfolio of CE Marking, Performance Testing and Quality Management Systems Certification services. There is great synergy between the two organisations and I look forward to the exciting opportunities and developments ahead. As part of Intertek we are now best positioned to serve you and your international staff and provide a wider range of testing and certification solutions – through an organisation that has over 20,000 employees worldwide across 100 countries.

Rest assured that our world renowned certification and project management services will be continued and together with our new colleagues at Intertek we will develop our portfolio of business critical solutions even further.

FAQs - Clients

Why did you agree to become part of Intertek?

§        Intertek has service portfolio that was complementary to our own and the resources to help us grow. With Epsilon, Intertek now have the largest ATEX and DSEAR resource in the UK, with full test facilities in the north and south of England.

§        Epsilon continues to operate as before, with the same management team and the same ability to respond rapidly to our customers needs but with additional resources and test facilities to provide faster project turnaround times.

§        Intertek have global certification solutions including the ‘ETL’ Mark for North American Listing, Epsilon will now be able to offer these services ‘locally’ so that our customer have a ‘one stop shop’ for all approvals.

§        We currently have a staff of around 30 employees and these are all primarily UK based. This makes us a small company in the commercial world especially compared to some of our competitors who have hundreds, even thousands of employees world wide. In spite of our size, we feel that our products and services can compete with (and even exceed) theirs. Indeed, our services are highly respected and sought out by leading companies across the globe. That said, our size has inhibited our capacity to deliver services internationally. Certainly we have strategic partnerships to provide local support to our non-UK clients – but we want to do more for them. We wanted to offer a better quality of service and range of certification products on their doorstep, with more local representatives and local facilities - so becoming part of a bigger organisation was an effective way to do that. An instant international infrastructure becomes available to us by joining the Intertek family so we can better deliver essential services to our clients. It also means a whole new range of additional services become available to our clients as we are adding their Certification and Approval services to our portfolio.

Will the Epsilon identity continue?

§        Epsilon is now part of Intertek. So our name will be changing in the near future. As an integral part of the Commercial & Electrical Division the Epsilon services will continue ‘business as usual’ and we are retaining our staff.

Purely for legal purposes, the name Epsilon Compliance Services shall still exist in order that all creditors are satisfied, with this legal entity finally liquidated after approx 12 months.

Will we be dealing with new people?

§        Yes and no. Our staff are committed to supporting the Epsilon customer base. The names and faces assisting you will be the same, but obviously there is additional expertise available. We intend to maximise the service you receive by leveraging all skilled personnel at our new organisation.

What is in this for my organisation, how do we benefit?

§        In simple terms, you should enjoy faster turn around times for your test work in the UK – as we will have extended capacity for ATEX testing by being part of Intertek. This should reduce your time to market. You will also gain access to a wide selection of certification Marks and testing services to help your Global Market Access activities and a partnership with a successful, resource rich, geographically diverse organisation who are committed to providing you with the best quality products and services. Alongside that they also have a number of safety testing and performance laboratories which can be used for your projects.  

We have work in progress with you, what is going to happen with that?

§         All projects will go ahead as anticipated – ensuring continuity of service during our integration into Intertek. We will not compromise either our service or our delivery.

Will my certificates and reports from Epsilon still be valid once you become Intertek?

§         Yes.

Do I need to set up a new account with Intertek?

§        No. The Epsilon accounts and systems are being integrated with Intertek. You shouldn’t experience any difference. If any changes do occur, we will of course notify you as soon as possible.

 Who do I arrange my next project with?

§        Our team will be ensuring a continuity of service – so your usual contacts will be able to help you.

What other services will I now have access to?

§        Services include:

§         Acoustical testing

§         Automotive testing and certification

§         Building products and materials testing and certification

§         Consumer product testing

§         EMC (UKAS, Notified Body)

§         Electrical safety certification (LVD, Notified Body)

§         Energy efficiency: appliances/HVAC

§         Energy efficiency: general products

§         FCC Certification of customer premise telecom equipment

§         Certification of food service or pool and spa equipment

§         Gas products certification

§         Lighting certification

§         Machinery Directive Notified Body

§         Testing of telecom equipment intended for the central office in the U.S 

§         RoHS/WEEE compliance services

§         Semiconductor: SEMI certification

§         Certification of radio equipment

Does this Acquisition mean that any Intertek office can now provide us with testing and certification services for our project’?

§        No. Until our new colleagues are trained in delivering our products and services, we will continue to deliver them from our office in Chester, UK.  Not all of the laboratories in the Intertek group retain specific personnel or equipment to conduct the project work that we offer, but some do. We will be working with our new colleagues at these facilities to ensure that they can deliver the quality and range of services that you have come to expect us.

Historically you have positioned yourself as a private company with no shareholders to answer to delivering a ‘more focused, individual service with less big group inertia’. Obviously Intertek is a company traded on the stock exchange. How will our customer experience change with this shift?

§        Being part of an organisation that has shareholders does not affect our commitment to providing a focused service. We know that Intertek pride themselves on the range and quality of services that they can offer and on the knowledge and expertise of their team. Their staff – like ours, are friendly and helpful and dedicated to finding and delivering the best solutions for your business. Your customer experience won’t change, we’ll just have more options for you and more experts on hand to offer you solutions.

 

Epsilon Expands Scandinavian Office in Denmark

Epsilon is expanding its office in Denmark to service our expanding base of Scandinavian and North European clients. The office is being joined by Peter Lauritzen, formally an ATEX Certification Engineer and Auditor for UL DEMKO.

Epsilon offer a wide range of service including ISO9000, Quality Modules, Training, ATEX 137 Services, Consultancy, Inspections and ATEX Product Certification. Peter brings even more experience to Epsilon in ATEX, IECEx Certification.

As always with Epsilon, the service is efficient and friendly, with direct access to the experience you need to complete your projects in a timely manner.

Epsilon Scandinavia can conduct ATEX and IECEx certification, ISO, QAR and QAN audits and provide information and training on all related technical aspects. Working with Epsilon in the UK, turnkey ATEX, IECEX and CE Marking can be achieved quickly and efficiently. Epsilon Scandinavia customers also benefit from Epsilon's unique on-line compliance management system including  free and prompt concessions to certification.

 

Her Majesty the Queen's Lord Lieutenant officially opens Epsilon's new facility

Her Majesty the Queens representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, Mr Trefor Jones CBE officially opened Epsilon on the 27th of July 2007. Mr Jones congratulated Epsilon on opening the UK's largest ATEX centre and on the companies performance over the last 9 years. After the official opening, Epsilon held their first 'Family Day' which was highly successful and is now to be an annual event. The day included fun and games for staff and their families, including bouncy boxing, bungee running, face painting and a performance from Epsilon's own band 'Zone Zero'!

 

Epsilon staff meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace

Three of Epsilon's staff attended an evening reception at Buckingham Palace at the invite of HM The Queen. Mr Sean Clarke, Mr Steve D'Henin and Mr Paul Moss all met the Queen and had extended conversations with Prince Andrew and Prince Phillip during the reception. 

 

 

Epsilon host CompEx 'Best Practice' day on July 4th.

Epsilon is being visited by CompEx representatives from all over the United Kingdom on July the 4th as it hosts the CompEx best practice day. Sean Clarke of Epsilon will be providing a brief lecture on Training for ATEX and there will be a tour of the facility. If you have any feedback or suggestions for the development of CompEx, please contact us and we will raise it on your behalf during the proceedings.

Epsilon have the UK's largest dedicated ATEX and DSEAR training facility including a spacious new CompEx training centre. Epsilon are the only CompEx training provider who are also DSEAR practitioners and an ATEX Notified Body, so our courses are both real world and completely up to date at all times.

All the benefits of CompEx- the only nationally recognised qualification for explosive atmosphere installation with all the Benefits of Epsilon, the UK's leading ATEX and IEC Specialist.

Book Compex Training (or any of our courses) by clicking here or contact Sam Fox on +44 (0) 1244 882590.

 

Epsilon Opens Scandinavian Office in Denmark

Epsilon has opened an office in Denmark to service our Scandinavian and North European client base. The office is being headed up by Klaus Moller Hansen, formally a Senior Engineer and Lead Auditor for UL DEMKO. Epsilon will be offering a wide range of service including ISO9000, Quality Modules, Training, ATEX 137 Services, Consultancy, Inspections and ATEX Product Certification. Klaus brings a wealth of experience to Epsilon in both ATEX Certification and North American listing, and is a qualified ATEX, ISO and IECEx auditor.

 

Royal Approval for Epsilon

Epsilon has won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Development category for continuously achieving the highest standards in business ethics and practices to the benefit of its customers, staff, suppliers and the wider community.  All of Epsilon's people are immensely proud of the award which truly reflects our commitment to sustainability in everything we do.

The Queens Award is bestowed on companies by the Queen under recommendation from the Prime Minister and represents the highest award that can be made to a UK Business.

Three members of the Epsilon team will be invited to Buckingham Palace for an evening reception with the Queen and the Prime Minister on July 18th 2007.

The Queens Lord  Lieutenant will present the award to Epsilon at the official opening of the new Chester facility on July 27th 2007. This will be followed by a 'family day' for all the staff and there families.

Further information and pictures can be found here.

 

Epsilon USA opens the first ATEX/IEC Explosion testing facility in Houston

Epsilon has opened a full ATEX and CE test facility near Houston, Texas. The test facility allows companies to avoid shipping products to the EU for ATEX and IEC testing. The facility is run  by experienced ATEX certification Engineers and offers fast-track ATEX Notified Body and accredited IEC certification through Epsilon UK. The Houston Test Facility currently offers:

Explosion Proof (Flameproof) Testing
Purge Testing
Increased Safety (Ex e) Testing
Intrinsic Safety Testing
Restricted Breathing Testing
Electrical Safety Testing (LVD)
EMC Emissions Testing

ATEX Quality Module (ATEX Shop) and ISO9001:2000 Audits and Certification without travel costs!
Design Reviews (pre-certification advice and compliance checks)
Fast System Certification via inspection
Assembly and non-electrical equipment certification without shipping or EU visits
Accredited ATEX Training for Competence and Installer Certification

Epsilon has been operating out of Houston since 1988 and understands the needs and demands of the Oil and Gas industry (and that is 80% of our client base). We have ATEX/IEC certified and CE Marked everything from Top Drives to BOP's - not to mention a few Space Shuttle parts!

We can guarantee certification delivery for mission critical projects (subject to compliance) based on service level agreements.

If you would like to be contacted by our Houston Facility to discuss our services further, please contact us to request a visit or further information (try just clicking 'call back', enter your number, and we will call you back)

 

Epsilon move to the UK's largest ATEX facility.

Epsilon have moved to a 16 000 square foot facility that has been created as a 'European Centre of Excellence' for Explosion Protection. Specialising in ATEX and DSEAR activities, but also encompassing full CE testing facilities (including a full compliance EMC Range to 3Ghz), Epsilon offers the widest range of services relating to ATEX and DSEAR in the UK. Our services at the new facility include:

Full Scope ATEX Notified Body with full test facilities on site
UL Certified Data lab for Divisional (North American) testing
Full Compliance EMC test range (OATS) to 3Ghz
Electrical safety (LVD) testing and assessment
Non-electrical section covering Machinery Safety, Pressure Equipment and SIL

Full DSEAR Implementation and Project Management
Process Safety and risk reduction
Design and installation of safety systems
Explosion Modelling and Consequence Analysis for DSEAR and COMAH
Explosion Risk Assessment for DSEAR and COMAH
Area Classification Services
Over 20 ATEX Related Courses in our dedicated ATEX Training Centre
DSEAR Software Provider
COMPEX Training on site

Many more services will be added in 2007 including IECEx Certification and Testing and EMC Notification.

Epsilon have set up agreements with test bodies in South Africa, China and Russia (in addition to being the only UL Certified data lab for Divisional Testing in the UK) to offer a wide range of approvals outside of Europe and North America.

Please feel free to call us, or why not drop in for a look around? Our new address and contact details are:

Epsilon
Deeside Lane
Chester
CH1 6DD
 
UK Tel:  +44 (0)1244 882590
UK Fax: +44 (0)1244 882599

 

 

Epsilon Achieve ISO 14001 (EMS) and OHSAS 18001 Certification

Epsilon have been awarded Accredited  ISO 14001 (EMS) and OHSAS 18001 Certification as part of our continued commitment to 'set the standard' for ATEX Bodies in terms of environmental awareness, social responsibility and the health and safety of our staff and clients.

Epsilon has also undertaken 'Investors in People' Standard (IIP) and hopes to be have completed the assessment by April. IIP reflects Epsilon's commitment to staff development and clear and open company communication.

 

 

Want to pay by credit card?

Many of our customers have requested that we put in the facility to take payment from credit cards, so we have put in that facility. We will be able to payment by credit card from January 2007.
 

 

More new staff welcomed at Epsilon

Epsilon welcomes Lisa-Marie Martin who has joined Epsilon as a Certification Engineer having formerly worked as a Certification Engineer at Sira. We also welcome Paul Whitley who brings a great deal of experience to the Site Services section.

 

New Staff

Brendan Allen arrives to head up the Intrinsic safety section. Brendan has over 20 years experience in i.s. and was formerly at BASEEFA and Sira. Lara White joins Epsilon to support the ATEX non-electrical section. Lara has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

 

Epsilon Sponsor Football Team.

For the 3rd year running Epsilon has sponsored Garden Village Football Club, who play in the North East Wales Junior League. We would like to congratulate them on finishing second in the under 15's league and every success for the new season. Click the thumbnail to view the team!