Chris Hope, Quality Engineer at British Gypsum is a stickler for detail as he ensures every plasterboard leaving the factory delivers comfort to homeowners
Only the best is good enough when it comes to quality control.
It’s a motto Chris Hope, a quality engineer at British Gypsum’s Sherburn plant in North Yorkshire, stands by.
As a keen gravel biker, Chris enjoys exploring rugged trails in his spare time, navigating challenging terrain with precision and care—just as he approaches his work at the plant.
Whether it’s on two wheels or on the production floor, safety and attention to detail are always top of mind. His commitment to quality ensures that every plasterboard produced not only meets the highest standards of performance, but contributes to the safety and wellbeing of the homes they are used in. Chris knows his work directly impacts people’s everyday lives. His job is to ensure that each board contributes to creating homes that are warm, comfortable and secure.
He adds, “If a homeowner notices the wallboard, something's gone wrong,” His attention to detail ensures that homeowners can enjoy their rooms without having to think about the materials behind their walls.
Troubleshooting and implementing preventive measures is key to maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction
Obstacle avoided
Chris ensures testing of raw materials and finished products to ensure they meet the high standards of thermal performance, soundproofing, and durability. If a board doesn’t meet specification, he stops it right there – much like avoiding an obstacle on a trail.
He reveals: “We do a flexural strength test where we measure how much force it takes to break the board. If the material doesn’t meet the specifications, we stop it on-site, scrap it, and investigate why it happened.”
Navigating challenges
“Troubleshooting and implementing preventive measures is key to maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction”, adds Chris.
"Our customer service process is streamlined through our Respond system, which allows our sales team to efficiently manage customer interactions and provide consistent responses. Upon receiving a customer complaint, I’m notified and can delve into the specifics of the issue.
Whether it’s a surface quality issue or performance concern, I work closely with our sales and technical teams to identify root cause and resolve it”
Thanks to this approach, the Sherburn plant has impressively low customer complaint rates. “The fact that we have such a low complaint rate shows we’re on the right track”, Chris says. “By addressing problems before they impact customers, we ensure our boards continue to deliver comfort, durability and peace of mind in every home they are installed in”
On a gravel bike, every obstacle is a chance to adapt and push forward, just like in quality control. By staying focused and committed, Chris helps ensure that every home built with our boards offers the comfort and stability homeowners can count on – no bumps in the road.
Ride on Chris!