The National Trailer and Towing Association (NTTA), the voice of the UK light trailer and towing industry, is celebrating 15 years promoting excellence in tow bar installation and trailer maintenance, through its Quality Secured (QS) accreditation scheme.
Since the year 2000, in the UK alone, it is estimated that four million tow bars have been fitted and two million trailers were purchased. The QS scheme is recognised by over a million members of the towing public, and recommended and endorsed by the Automobile Association (The AA), The Caravan Club and The Camping & Caravanning Club.
A fundamental element of QS is to ensure that members of the scheme are rigorously monitored and independently audited on an annual basis to retain their accreditation. The NTTA’s priority is to ensure the safety of the towing community and recommends people use qualified professionals who have the QS accreditation to provide this vital service.
With around 2 million trailers currently in use in the UK, and no government regulatory framework in place, the QS scheme was set up to provide a quality benchmark for the industry to follow. It includes tow bar fitting & wiring installation and trailer service and installation with a warranty, by promoting:
·automotive industry standards
·workshop best practise
·excellent customer service
·professional workmanship
Paul Huthwaite, Director of Wilmond Engineering in Hertfordshire and QS accredited member spoke about the scheme and why it is so important to the towing community: “As members of the Quality Secured scheme our customers are confident that our work is carried out to the highest standards by trained technicians; using only top quality components.
“They also have peace of mind knowing that our fitters, workshops and equipment are audited independently every year.”
Phil Holman, the Chairman of the NTTA explained: “We are delighted with the success of the Quality Secured scheme over the last 15 years. It gives consumers confidence when using any of our services and purchasing goods; and the knowledge of doing business with an accredited company that will always give the best service possible with a warranty.”
So how does a company receive QS accreditation? It agrees to an independent annual assessment, arranged by the NTTA to monitor:
· Customer service
· Workshop practice
· Customer complaints
· Staff knowledge and company training initiatives
· Facilities and equipment
Phil Holman concluded: “The NTTA proudly represents its members within the light trailer and tow bar industry across the UK, giving them a strong forum to lobby government on the issues that we face in order to ensure that every trailer and caravan owner is safe on our roads.”
The NTTA will be exhibiting at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show at the NEC in Hall 2, stand 2105, from 17th to 22nd February promoting the QS scheme and offering advice to new owners and seasoned trailer/caravan owners.
