About ACS: Independent UKAS Accredited Company
Based in Dorset, ACS has delivered trusted materials testing and consultancy services to the UK’s building, waste, quarrying, construction, and civil engineering industries for over 35 years.
As a fully independent, UKAS-accredited company, we provide comprehensive sampling, site testing, and laboratory testing for a wide range of materials, with results presented in clear, interpretive reports tailored to each client’s needs.
Our expertise is flexible and mobile, supported by satellite laboratories in Bristol , Horsham and Maidstone, and by bespoke site laboratories established for major projects.
Our Core Services
We provide a seamless, all-in-one service designed to help clients manage risk and meet project objectives:
- Physical and chemical lab testing, providing certification and reporting for the quality assurance of construction materials and informed land management
- Site investigation and testing across construction and civil engineering projects
- Geoscience and materials management consultancy
- Bespoke research and development solutions
All services are covered by our professional indemnity insurance and carried out to the highest standards of health, safety, and environmental responsibility.
Our capacity in numbers
Who we’re trusted by
Training & Certification
ACS is an ISO certified company, delivering internal training in accordance with our Laboratory Quality Manual and the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard for laboratory accreditation, which exceeds the requirements of ISO 9001.
- All site staff hold CSCS Cards and pass CIBT Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) tests
- Activity-specific HSE training is provided and regularly updated
- Continuous professional development for all staff, with many team members having 20+ years of experience
- Graduate chemists and geoscientists working towards or holding chartered status in their professional bodies
ACS is a proud member of the following professional bodies:
Supporting Services
To further enhance our capabilities, ACS coordinates with trusted contractors, service providers, and other complementary UKAS-accredited companies. This enables us to deliver:
- Specialist chemical analysis not covered by our laboratory
- Buried utility surveys
- Topographical surveys (incl. traditional land-based and specialist drone surveys)
- Unexploded ordnance surveys and support
Please see below for a list of the services provided by ACS:
Geo-Environmental Consultancy
The ACS Geo-Environmental Consultancy Department has been operating as part of ACS for over 10 years.
On-Site Testing Services
ACS offers a comprehensive range of professional on-site testing, all carried out by our fully trained site technicians.
Aggregates and Soils Testing
From our main laboratory in Poole, Dorset, ACS provide quality testing and material consultancy for the construction and civil engineering industry.
Bituminous Testing
ACS carries out testing on new bituminous binder material and testing on hardened material for physical and chemical properties. Circa pre 1980’s Tar (Carcinogenic effects) was also used as a binder, ACS staff can sample and test materials to assess if Tar was used.
Concrete Testing
Concrete was the first service to be offered by ACS back in 1987. Since then, we have increased our scope to cover a wide range of UKAS Accredited testing methods on fresh and hardened concrete.
Mortar and Screed Testing
ACS can sample and test new and hardened mortar. Hardened mortar for mix proportions and constituents, new mortar for compressive and flexural strength.
Natural Stone Testing
Our newly refurbished stone testing laboratory has given us the opportunity to expand our testing scope. In addition, we have increased production and improved on our turnaround of samples.
Site Laboratory Services
Over the last 35 years, ACS have supplied custom fitted site laboratories with technicians to many construction sites and projects worldwide.