Spring is in the air, the days are lengthening – and so are our to-do lists. The brighter nights may be most welcome, but they also throw fresh light on the endless number of jobs needing doing; guttering, painting, grass, tree and hedge cutting – and that’s before we even consider the inside of the house.
At some point in the next couple of months, you will likely contemplate a DIY purchase. So, let’s hit the pause button and consider your options. Those leaves in the gutter aren’t going to clean themselves, so you’re going to need a ladder. Do you grab the cheap model you spotted in your local supermarket? Or do you invest in a more substantial-looking – and expensive – product?
Think about it for longer than a moment, and it should be a no-brainer, especially if you are working at height. Essentially, it boils down to the price you put on safety. But, behind that pricier purchase lies months of careful design, endless refinement and rigorous testing.
Our MI TOWER STAIRS access tower system is a case in point. It took six months from concept to certification. After coming up with the design, we made a prototype which was sent to TÜV, the independent product testing association.
They provide feedback on all aspects of the design, and we make amendments accordingly. Then we send them another prototype and hope that the refinements will lead to the issue of a TUV or BSI certification. It is a process that not only can take many months but, in the case of our MITOWER STAIRS, starting costs was over £40,000, and that’s before we’ve sold one unit. All of this is for a product constructed from just three frames.
The push for the highest safety standards does not need to come at the expense of value for money. The challenge then is to make our products as adaptable as possible, so we developed compatible components for the MI TOWER STAIRS, which allow it to be used with a standard MI TOWER giving the option of two towers from one kit.
So, next time you are standing in a supermarket or hardware store deciding on a purchase, look for the TUV or BSI (British Standards Institution) kitemarks – and choose to put a price on your safety.
For more information on TUV certification, click here.
In addition, you can find out more about BSI certification by clicking here.
