The two firms were guided all the way by ISO consultant Stuart Brealey who said the advantages of gaining ISO 9001-2000 Quality Standard means your company will meet the criteria of many major contracts.  Before a firm can even get on to an approved list, one of the main items on the tick list is certification to the quality standard ISO 9001.

Mr Brealey went on to say that almost all local councils require this and if you are bidding for any Olympic contracts it will be a must.
Many councils and larger organisations are also looking for the Environmental Standard which is ISO 14001-2004. All the companies in the Jigsaw's workshop are also looking to achieving this standard and are progressing forward.

Mr Brealey said: "The main benefit  to the companies by being part of the Jigsaw Club is that by working together in the workshops cost is held down  because they are paying one fee to the chamber and not a separate consultancy fee. We have also negotiated a special rate under the chamber banner with BSI for the standards, providing the companies come in via Jigsaw.

"Working with RCM and ACS Imaging was an excellent experience as I think they and I benefited from the business relationship that built up. I would also include Eric Homewood from Signs 4 You who has also attended the workshops and has his final assessment on 13th August with BSI for the quality standard.  Eric is also going on to work towards the Environmental standard.

"I would like to add that RAP Office Contracts Ltd of Maidstone has also recently joined Jigsaw and Julie Anderson and her team are now in the process of working towards ISO 9001 and then after they achieve this certification with BSI they will continue until they achieve ISO 14001 Environmental standard."
A delighted Rob McKee of RCM UK, (right of photo below with Andy Wilson, BSI Management Systems development manager), a company providing corporate health checks and market advice said:" We can now deal with local councils and the Olympic website. Already I am in projects with large corporates such as HSBC, Tesco and Asda.

"I would like to say how easy Stuart Brealey made the whole process for me and I can thoroughly recommend anyone trying to gain this ISO to use the Jigsaw Club."

Cliff Oulds, below right with partner Paula Thompson of ACS Imaging based on Medway City Estate making varied and often trendy company signs said:" We now have a proven quality in our organisation, the structure and efficiency. We can now deal with the big companies.".

For further details of the Jigsaw Club contact the Chamber on 01634 311411