The Concrete Repair Association’s new chairman Keith Barrow has outlined his plans for further developing the Association, detailing a series of key objectives which aim to uphold the professionalism for which the Association and its members are recognised.
During his two-year tenure as Chairman, Keith plans to further develop the training available to members, ensuring their continued competence and advancing their skills and expertise. He also hopes to improve the benefits and rewards of membership and encourage greater participation, particularly from smaller contractors.
Highlighting that the CRA is an established professional association within this specialist sector of construction, Keith explains that its strict entry requirements mean that membership provides businesses with a marker of credibility.
As well as being able to demonstrate a proven track record and overall proven ability, each full member is obliged to be QA accredited to ISO 9001, and to the environmental standard BS EN ISO 14001. Members must also comply with the Association’s stringent Codes of Practice and its training requirements. They must also display their commitment to maintaining high standards of health and safety performance, with many members having achieved accreditation to OHSAS 18001.
The CRA is also a valuable source of information regarding standards and good practice and produces numerous technical publications, including the newly updated Standard Method of Measurement.
“The Concrete Repair Association is a compass of competency and emblem of quality workmanship,” declares Keith.
“I hope to develop the Association into a stronger and more rewarding organisation for its current members by continuing to develop the membership services, support and benefits they receive.
“I also aim to demonstrate that membership is excellent value for money so that other professional companies within the sector will aspire to join.”
Keith, who is Director for Major Projects at Volkerlaser Ltd, was elected as Chairman of the CRA at its Annual General Meeting in Manchester on 16 October 2015. He has extensive experience of the industry and has been on the CRA Executive committee for some 10 years .
Having graduated in Civil Engineering, he worked worked as a Graduate Engineer with Amey before joining Balfour Beatty. He moved internally to Balvac Whitley Moran (now Balvac Ltd) in 1990 and worked in various roles before becoming Director and General Manager in 2006. He joined Volkerlaser in 2009.
The CRA is a member of Structural Concrete Alliance. This brings together the expertise of the CRA, Corrosion Prevention Association (CPA) and Sprayed Concrete Association (SCA) to provide a single co-ordinated voice for the asset protection and repair industry. It offers technical guidance, CPD presentations and regional seminars aimed at improving understanding of concrete repair and refurbishment techniques.
Further information on the Concrete Repair Association can be obtained from
tel: 01420 471612;
email:[email protected];
website: www.cra.org.uk.
