An Island landscaping firm has become the first outside the US to be accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association.

Brown and Company, based in St George’s, now joins a total of 375 firms across North America accredited by the association for standards and workmanship.

The firm’s Martin Brown said: “The addition of this accreditation for Brown and Company provides our customers with the guarantee that by choosing us for the landscape and tree care needs, they are selecting a company that provides industry-leading service, quality of work and business ethics.

“As a company we all take great pride in the award of this accreditation and share a commitment to continuing to provide the required standards for our customers.”

Mr Brown added: “We are pleased to continue offering Bermuda professional landscape and tree care services to industry-leading standards.”

The company gained the award after an eight-month process where the management and operation of the firm was reviewed.

Standards and quality of workmanship were looked at, as well as management systems and company policies on health and safety, accounting, fair business and employment practices, staff training and development, insurance and customer satisfaction.

A three-day visit by an independent external examiner was used to confirm the overall quality of the firm and its service to clients.

The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) was set up 75 years ago as the National Arborist Association and is the trade body in the US and also lobbies for better health and safety and professional standards in the industry.