2010-04-07 BMC joins Kiwa

The Board of the BMC Foundation and the Board of Directors of Kiwa have agreed to bundle their activities. Both Kiwa and BMC see this as a great opportunity to give an extra impulse to their certification activities for the building industry. They placed their definitive signatures in March, as a result of which their joining was realised with retroactive effect from the 1st of January 2010.

BMC Certification is a reputable certification institute for ready mixed concrete and asphalt and their raw materials like cement, aggregates (sand and gravel and such), fillers and admixtures, and materials such as armour stone. The organisation certifies products under the KOMO® and NL-BSB® brands and is accredited for ISO 9001, 14001 and 18001 certification. BMC is also a notified certification body for the CE marking.

The certification activities of BMC Certification are transferred to BMC BV that will form part of the building division of Kiwa Nederland BV. With the addition of services to the more than 700 Building assessment guidelines in the existing services package, Kiwa has become the most complete certification services provider for the building industry.

The general manager of BMC BV will be Ronald de Vree. The present director of BMC,  Hans Cornelissen, will be the building division development director of the new organisation. Cornelissen: “As for their culture and solidity, there is a seamless fit between Kiwa and BMC. As a consequence of BMC now being able to operate within a larger organisation, new services for our customers can be developed. For example in the field of sustainability and certification of activities in the building industry that are connected with each other. Furthermore, we will be able to be of better service to companies in the international market.” Kiwa director Wim van Vreeswijk and Hans Cornelissen constitute the management team of the building division. Van Vreeswijk: “ Kiwa has already been the largest certification company for the building industry for years, but in spite of this it still had to disappoint some customers because of the fact that we could not offer a complete package. With the BMC portfolio the customers need to go to one window only to obtain the full range of certification services.

BMC certificate holders
The BMC certificate holders will continue to be able to make use of the same services. Expertise and short lines will remain the key words in the provision of those services.

BMC Foundation changes into SKKB Foundation
With effect from the take-over, BMC Certification will operate under the name of BMC BV. Formerly that used to be the BMC Foundation.  The BMC Foundation will focus on the quality of building constructions, with an emphasis on concrete, under its new name Stichting Stimulering Kennisontwikkeling Bouwconstructies”.

For more information
Kiwa NV Corporate Communication, George Mentjox +31 653315701
BMC,  Hans Cornelissen, tel +31 182532300

BMC Certification has been accredited by the Dutch Accreditation Council for the certification of products and of quality assurance and environmental management systems. By means of it certification, BMC Certification promotes the quality of products and processes in the operating area of BMC Certification, inclusive of, inter alia, concrete, cements, asphalt and all raw materials used for them and all related products.

Kiwa is an internationally operating quality assurance company that is continuously improving processes, products, personnel and organisations. We do this by offering certification procedures, training, inspection, advice, research and our technological know-how. Kiwa is active in almost all market segments, from energy and drinking water supply to agro food, the care sector and socially responsible business practices. Kiwa has approximately 800 highly qualified employees in more than 30 establishments in eight European countries and in China.