Kitemark® soars 100 places in leading brands survey

Press release - 25 February 2009

The BSI Kitemark, one of the most recognized business brands in the country, has been categorized as a ‘Superbrand’ in the Top 500 Business Superbrands chart for the second year running, moving up 105 places in 2009.

The Kitemark, the label on products and services which indicates that they have met stringent safety and quality specifications, entered the Top 500 Superbrands league for the first time last year. Now, in only its second chart appearance, it has reached number 138 overall; and number three in its category of “Support Services: Associations and Accreditations”.

How are Business Superbrands decided?

The Business Superbrands table is published by the Centre for Brand Analysis following an assessment by an independent council of experts and more than 1,500 business professionals. This establishes which brands have the finest reputation in their field and offer advantages that customers want, recognize and are confident about buying. All Business Superbrands represent quality, reliability and distinction.

BSI Group, which owns the Kitemark brand, has been a Top 500 Superbrand in its own right for five consecutive years, this year reaching a position of 204, also in the ‘Support Services: Associations and Accreditations’ category.

Kitemark commands consumer respect

Not only is the Kitemark highly rated in the business sector, a recent survey by YouGov showed that it commands respect among consumers too. Almost half of purchasers (49%) look for the mark when buying goods and services. Recently, the Kitemark went online here, which makes it easy for businesses and consumers to check which products and manufacturers have undergone testing and assessment to be awarded a Kitemark.

Many of the brands that carry Kitemark certification have also achieved Business Superbrand Top 500 status this year. Chubb, 3M, Blue Circle, Pilkington, Saint Gobain, Stanley, Bostik, Honeywell, TDK, Lafarge, Ingersoll Rand, Pitney Bowes, Castle Cement and Tarmac.

David Ford, Managing Director at BSI Product Services says: “The fact that both BSI Group and the Kitemark have achieved Superbrand status is testament to their prominence as leading the way in certification. We are investing further in promoting the Kitemark, through services such as Kitemark.com, so that businesses and consumers continue to look for the mark, and manufacturers and service providers gain a true advantage of holding a Kitemark licence. We believe this will help more companies seek Kitemark certification.”