AYRSHIRE-based building contractors, William Skinner & Son, are proud to announce that they have become one of very few Scottish companies to have gained accreditation under the national Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme is an independent scheme that certifies renewable energy products and installers in accordance with consistent standards. It is designed to evaluate renewable energy products and installers against robust criteria, providing greater protection for consumers.
William Skinner & Son’s accreditation under the MCS Scheme will be of particular interest to householders, landowners and businesses who are seeking to reduce their energy costs and their carbon emissions, and of even greater interest to those who wish to take advantage of government grants available to help finance the installation of renewable energy systems such as solar panels.
Says a spokesperson: “Grants for individual Scottish householders interested in having their own renewable energy sources have been available for some time – up to 30 per cent of the capital cost to a maximum of £4,000 for a domestic installation, for example.
“And two such grants have been available concurrently to individuals for two installations using different technologies. But clients wanting to claim grants have needed to employ an accredited Installer under the Clearskies scheme.
“The accreditation arrangements have now been made much more stringent, amounting to a searching quality check and a practical confirmation of both the skills and business practices of any company wanting to be involved.
“It is now known as Microgeneration Certification, (MCS), each qualifying business being identified by a unique number – William Skinner & Son’s being MCS 1139.
“William Skinner & Son is also a member of the recognised trade body for solar thermal work, the Solar Trade Association (STA), and of the Renewable Energy Association (REA) which looks after customer interests.”
The spokesperson continued: ‘With considerable experience already in most forms of renewable energy, but especially domestic solar thermal work, William Skinner & Son have earned a high reputation not only as advisers to clients on the best forms of renewable energy generally to meet their specific needs, but also as installers of optimised systems which will, for example, help individual households to have plentiful, free, hot water and heating.
“With energy prices soaring, many find that prospect hard to resist.”
William Skinner & Son solar engineer John Nimmo (telephone: 0845 0519060) and renewable energy director John Quinton (telephone: 0115 923 2914) are happy to answer questions about local site surveys or particular kinds and uses of renewable energy generally.
William Skinner & Son’s renewable energy director, John Quinton, commented: “Our hard-won Microgeneration Certification means that our clients can now take full advantage of government grants available in Scotland for the installation of renewable energy systems.
“We already have substantial experience in this new and exciting field of work, and anticipate that William Skinner’s Renewable Energy Division will play an increasingly important part in our company’s future growth.”
ABOUT WILLIAM SKINNER & SON
Building contractors William Skinner & Son’s Ayrshire and Cambridgeshire bases cover Scotland, South East and Eastern England with a range of activities centred on building refurbishment, mainly of retail stores and shopping centres. Joinery manufacture, metal fabrication, special finishes and terrazzo tiling are amongst the special skills offered.
William Skinner & Son are approved Sika Trocal single ply roofing membrane installers. Experienced and highly skilled operatives carry out a range of schemes from small repairs to major installations on very large buildings, and are trained to apply the Kemper roof repair system. Skinners frequently supply and fix ward decking systems in conjunction with roofing works.
The company also offers contract maintenance and has recently diversified further into custom garden structures, notably treehouses, and solar thermal systems – for which it is now fully Microgeneration Certified.
Skinners’ recently introduced renewable energy survey service is already in demand, supporting its offer to install any kind of renewable energy system.
Founded in Ayrshire in 1964, Skinners made their first move down south into England six years ago. But the company’s recent expansion and diversification into new areas of business made it necessary the purchase of their own larger facilities comprising an 8,000 sq. ft yard, 1,900 sq. ft of office space, and a 1,620 sq. ft warehouse.
The new premises in Meldreth, near Cambridge, were officially opened in 2008 by Andrew Lansley, MP for South Cambridgeshire.
William Skinner & Son managing director, Sandy Cunningham, said: “Our commitment at Cambridge is a measure of the importance to us of the market in London, the South East, Midlands and East Anglia.
“The Meldreth base provides high quality warehouse, workshop and office accommodation from which we are already developing our capacity and increasing our market penetration. It is capable of supporting several times its present level of activity.”
Further information:
Sandy Cunningham
Managing Director
William Skinner & Son
Cunningham House
Highfield
St Quivox
Ayr KA6 5HQ
Ayrshire, Scotland
Tel: 0845 051 9060
Fax: 01292 671133
E-mail: scunningham@williamskinner.co.uk
Website: www.williamskinner.co.uk
OR:
William Skinner & Son
Southern Office
College Farm Business Centre
North End
Meldreth
Cambridgeshire
SG8 6NT
England
Tel: 0845 051 9070
Fax: 01763 262916
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