UL Solutions

Providing access to UK industry leaders and fire safety influencers

Successful launch of major new product testing facilities and services in UK and Europe

A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services in more than 100 countries, together with software products and advisory offerings, that support product innovation and business growth across multiple sectors, including construction and fire safety.

Challenge

UL Solutions is a household name in North America but relatively unknown in the UK, despite its vital role in the testing and third-party certification of a wide range of products and systems.

UL needed a communications team in the UK who could help them navigate the European construction market, facilitate collaborations and grow the profile of the UL brand, with a particular focus on its expertise in building fire safety, construction product testing and certification post-Grenfell.

Strategy

LMC started working on strategic projects with UL Solutions in 2018, in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire. UL had valuable insights into other tragedies around the world where key lessons had been learned about building and life safety, and we were able to help the company provide input into the Hackitt Review and policy development in the years following the event.

We assisted UL Solutions with a high-profile international fire safety event at the House of Lords in January 2018, followed by a series of 'Trust Talks' later that year, interviewing six UK industry leaders and opinion formers about what needed to be done to rebuild trust in the industry.

Over subsequent years, we supported UL Solutions with strategic advice on issues management and lines to take on key areas of UK construction policy, created in-depth White Papers and guides, and implemented targeted media relations campaigns in various parts of the UK and German markets, including curtain walling, rainscreen cladding and facade testing, door, window and hardware testing and third-party certification for safety and security.

To assist UL's team in the UK extend their contacts, we arranged speaking opportunities to showcase their expertise at FIREX, UK Construction Week, Fensterbau, Security Essen, the Glazing Summit and BAU, as well as organising an international webinar with ift Rosenheim on UKCA marking.

We also launched UL Solutions' new fire resistance testing facility in Blockley, Gloucestershire. The facility benefits construction product manufacturers from the UK, Europe and worldwide who require independent fire testing and certification, including UKCA and CE marking services.

The Blockley lab was launched in November 2022 - the UK's first new fire resistance testing laboratory for building products and systems, doors and windows, fire stopping, joint systems and related fire resistance products since the Grenfell tragedy, and featuring two of the largest furnaces of their kind.

We worked closely with the FPA and an international team of marketing experts in UL on the organisation of the event, including providing advice on the guest list, format of the event, communications and follow-up.

Results

Global Corporate Communications Manager - UL Solutions

“LMC has provided outstanding support to UL Solutions. They know the construction industry, its policies, media and influencers inside out, and provide us with guidance and support that goes well beyond your traditional PR consultancy. We use their approach, and their clear evaluation reports, as an example to all our other PR agencies across the world.”