Materials Performance is the world's most widely circulated magazine dedicated to corrosion prevention and control. MP provides information about the latest corrosion control technologies and practical applications for every industry and environment.
Issue link: http://mp.epubxp.com/i/733332
NACE NEWS 47 NACE INTERNATIONAL: VOL. 55, NO. 10 MATERIALS PERFORMANCE OCTOBER 2016 First Company Certified by NACE International Institute Contractor Accreditation Program A fter a rigorous audit, which included an administrative review and field audit, Blastco, a TF Warren Com- pany (The Woodlands, Texas), became the first contractor to earn accreditation from the NACE Interna- tional Institute Contractor Accreditation Program (NIICAP). NIICAP is an industry-designed and managed program focused on contractors involved with professional project man- agement and project performance in the surface preparation and coating or lining application industry ; it was created in response to demand for an alternative to other coatings contractor accreditation programs. "The safety and quality of our work is our top priority at Blastco," says Jay Soper, vice president of the company. "Attaining the most demanding and trusted accredi- tation and certifications offered in the industry is the best way to set ourselves apart from—and above—our competitors. We are proud to not only meet the highest standards set by the industry leader, but especially to be the first company to do so." The NIICAP program board of direc- tors is mainly composed of project Left to right: Robin Frye (Blastco), James Hart (Blastco), Jay Soper (Blastco), Helena Seelinger (NACE International Institute), and Steve Wissing (Blastco). owners. However, coatings contractors also get a voice through the contractor committee, which enables the new accreditation program to be the first to bridge the gap between what asset owners are seeking and what coatings contractors provide. "The NACE International Institute is known for its thorough and unparalleled qualification programs," says NII President Chris Fowler. "The institute is leading the way in developing the best programs to improve and mitigate the costly—and sometimes catastrophic—effects of corro- sion. NIICAP is an essential part of this organization's important work." By earning the NIICAP seal, contrac- tors verify that they are fully qualified to perform the best and latest in coatings preparation, application, and inspection techniques and practices. For owners, this translates to better quality, increased sav- ings, and reduced risks. "As a facility owner representative, I find that industry-wide certification pro- grams are an important tool for instituting quality in a maintenance program," says Johnnie Miller, lab and materials engineer for the Texas Department of Transporta- tion. "By providing a vehicle through which the contracting community can be vetted for competence, programs like NIICAP help to ensure facility owners that the contractor hired to do the work is both capable and incentivized to do it properly. This is especially true for owners dealing with a low-bid award environment." For more information about NIICAP, visit niicap.net.