Conexpo are shipshape

"CONEXPO (N.I.) Ltd are believed to have become the first UK supplier of high-PSV aggregates to demonstrate product conformity in line with the new European Standards. Based in County Down, the family-run firm exports around 500,000 tonnes a year of both 60+ and 65+ PSV aggregates mostly to markets in the south of England."

"The recent introduction and adoption of BS EN 13043:2002 (aggregates for bituminous mixtures and surface treatments) requires high-PSV aggregate suppliers to CE mark their products. This requires producers to carry out initial ‘type tests’ on their aggregates followed by extensive ongoing testing of production samples to a prescribed test plan. Additionally, producers must operate ‘factory production control’ (FPC), which has to be certified by a third party notified accreditation body."

"To achieve the CE mark, Conexpo utilized a modified version of their quality-management system, designed to meet ISO 9001:2000 standards, and employed CPC (an operating division of QSRMC) to inspect their FPC within a tight time frame."

"Commenting on their accreditation, Conexpo’s operations director, Jonathan McCluskey, said: ‘We are delighted at CPC’s response to our need for FPC inspection and certification. We set them the task of certifying our operation before Christmas, and both companies worked long hours to achieve a satisfactory standard before certification on 23 December 2003.’"

"In recent years Conexpo have invested heavily in their ship-loading operation at the Port of Belfast, where vessels up to 10,000 tonnes dwt are loaded at up to 700 tonnes/h using two Volvo L150E wheel loaders and a purpose-built Telestack conveyor system."