Quality is one of the most important components of our manufacturing and service process. Quality Assurance is managed by KORE’s Quality Manager, Fergal Harrison, and is measured under three pillars, Construction Products Regulation (CE marking), EN 13163, and ISO 9001: 2015 Quality Management Systems. All KORE insulation products consisting of rigid boards cut from moulded blocks of Expanded Polystyrene are manufactured in accordance with EN 13163:2012+A2:2016 Thermal insulation products for buildings – Factory made expanded polystyrene (EPS) products specification. All of KORE’s EPS boards follow EN 13163, whilst adopting the CPR annex, allowing our products to display the CE mark. KORE is also accredited with ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems, where manufacturing and services are run on a number of quality principles including customer focus, employee engagement, process training and improvement and relationship management.
Factory Production Control
Our Factory Production Control (FPC) system utilises an enterprise resource planning tool called Herbst which integrates all company departments, production procedures, including batch control, product and machinery testing, quality checks, internal audits, external audits and more. This holistic approach allows all documentation, data and certifications to be found in one central location for quick and ease of access.
Testing
KORE’s Expanded Polystyrene has five grades, EPS 70, 100, 150, 200 and 300. These moulded blocks are used for floor, external wall insulation, roof insulation, and our insulated foundation system. KORE Fill, our bonded bead cavity wall insulation, has two grades: Original and Diamond. All seven variations are tested internally and externally, to assess their performance on the following:
- Compression
- Bending strength
- Thermal conductivity
- Tensile strength
- Fire testing
Testing is performed according to the test standards set out in EN 13163. Fire testing is carried out weekly, while the other facets are tested quarterly using samples from production. Extra compression testing is carried out on every foundation system order, testing samples from each block used for the insulated foundation system.
External Testing
Samples from our internal tests are sent to a notified body (external laboratory that is accredited by the EU commission) to be tested.These independent laboratories validate the results of tests performed in our production facility on various EPS grades. The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) audit our internal and external testing along with our 9001 quality system annually. The British Board of Agrement (BBA) also carries out an audit bi-annually.
Customer Service Quality
We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service, and aim to improve our quality standards daily. Our main priority is customer satisfaction, and high quality products. As mentioned earlier we use an enterprise resource planning tool called Herbst which integrates all company departments and this allows greater connectivity and communication to maximise customer efficiencies. Our system allows us to know the exact lead time from the first enquiry made, production schedule of interested product, to delivery time on site including driver name and location. This service works pre and post order, working perfectly with our lean manufacturing ethos, as well as our customer is king mentality. What sets us apart is our personalised service with your call being answered immediately, no phone answering machines, to our on site technical advice and design, and flexibility with delivery and schedule to suit customer needs. For more information on our quality assurance process, please contact our technical team today.
View Insulated Foundation System Quality