This article contains paid-for content created in collaboration with Tilecraft
TILECRAFT & Optimus Decorating are celebrating achieving a raft of globally recognised ISO accreditations as they look forward to a promising 2025.
Over the past 12 months, the Paisley-headquartered group has played a key role in several multi-million-pound projects and seen leading housebuilders utilise its newly launched decorating arm.
The ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems; ISO 14001 Environmental Managements; and ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety certifications validate Tilecraft & Optimus Decorating’s commitment to delivering the highest standards.
The group’s Tilecraft arm has been the choice of tiling contractor on several of Scotland’s largest developments – including the W Hotel at Edinburgh’s St James Centre, the V&A Dundee, JP Morgan’s new Glasgow base, and the University of Glasgow’s Adam Smith Business School.
With over two decades of working with Tier 1 contractors, Tilecraft counts BAM, Balfour Beatty, Robertson, McLaughlin & Harvey, Multiplex, Sir Robert McAlpine, Kier, and Morrison Construction among its many clients.
The Optimus Decorating arm of the business, meanwhile, was launched with the intention of bringing the group’s tried and tested way of working to the painting and decorating sector. This has led to work with major housebuilders including Taylor Wimpey, Ogilvie Homes, Barratt Homes, Robertson Homes, Persimmon Homes & Lynch Homes.
Despite the impressive portfolio of works, directors Scott Wotherspoon and John Taylor were keen to have group’s way of operating officially recognised, so spearheaded the company-wide effort to obtain the ISO certifications.
“We pride ourselves on operating as a mini-Tier 1 contractor,” Gary Steele, associate director told Project Scotland. “We were already working to these standards, but it’s getting the accreditation to prove it.”
Upon awarding both businesses with the certifications, Compliant FM, the UKAS-accredited ISO assessor, commented on the ‘amazing’ achievement of recording no adverse findings during the assessments – which were led by John Taylor – adding that the company’s hard work has paid off.
“The three accreditations also show that we’re doing the right things internally – giving new clients the reassurance that we’re working to a certain level,” Gary continued. “We guarantee upfront that we’ll deliver what the clients are looking for and I think the pride of being able to do that really sets us apart. That’s why we get return customers – excellent customers with huge projects, which is great. There’s a lot of pride in being able to deliver 5-star hotels and extensive office developments.”
Sustainability is a key focus, with the firm being a long-time user of electric vehicles and has services in place to offer clients the use of carbon-cutting recycled tiles, which helped the group achieve ISO 14001. On the operational side of things, the group benefits from a significant number of experienced site and office staff which Gary credited for helping to achieve ISO 9001 and 45001.
Conscious of Scotland’s housing crisis, the group plans on using its Tilecraft project delivery method to help clients avoid delays and have a different option for projects on the decorating side.
Immediate work was secured with key clients, and the group has a growth plan to further scale Optimus Decorating.
A key part of this strategy includes introducing more youngsters to the decorating sector, Optimus Decorating will be looking to implement the successful Tilecraft apprenticeship template during the growth journey – which sees an average of 12, usually local, apprentices on board at any one time.
Gary described the importance of providing opportunities for the next generation of workers as ‘absolutely crucial’. “It also gives a young workforce the chance to work on huge sites for huge developers and clients – and it really does the world of good for their (own) development,” he continued.
Looking ahead in 2025, both businesses are gearing up for further growth, underpinned by a ‘solid’ order book. “We are on a growth journey, but it’s a five-year growth journey,” Gary concluded. “We see an opportunity. We’ve got an internal plan for the decorating business and where we see it topping out at – and we’re on track to achieve that.”
