Reflecting on 2025: Highlights from Durham Autoclaves

It’s fair to say 2025 has been one of our busiest years yet. We’ve delivered, installed, serviced, validated, problem-solved, celebrated, and kept the kettle working overtime! We don’t always shout about what we do day to day, but this year’s round up feels extra special. Here’s a look back at some of the moments that have made 2025 such a big one for Durham Autoclaves.

15 Years of Sterilisation Support

We hit a major milestone this year - 15 years of Durham Autoclaves. From humble beginnings to supporting practices, clinics, labs, and research environments across the UK, it’s been a proper journey.

We marked the occasion in true Durham style…bunting, balloons, cake, and some genuinely lovely messages from clients and friends.

Fifteen years in, and we’re not slowing down!

A Growing Focus on Bioscience

Bioscience and research isn’t new territory for us, we’ve supported laboratory environments for years, but in 2025 it’s been brilliant to see that momentum build. We’re now regularly supplying, installing and servicing trusted names in laboratory-grade sterilisation, and working with more research-led teams who need equipment that performs reliably day in, day out. In lab settings, “near enough” doesn’t cut it. Consider this a reminder too… if you’re in bioscience, higher education, or research and you need support with your sterilisation setup, we do this, and we’re putting even more energy into it than ever.

Validation, and Then Some…

Our team has delivered more validations than ever this year so clients have both confidence and a clear paper trail. We work across a wide range of equipment and we take pride in being the team that can meet the standard, explain what it means, and get everything signed off properly.

Outsourced Sterilisation? We’re On It

Not everyone needs a machine on-site, but sometimes they do need extra capacity during busy periods or specific projects. That’s where our outsourced sterilisation service has been a real asset this year. From one-off decontamination runs to ongoing support, we’ve provided secure collection, processing, and return for clients who need flexibility without compromise.

It’s practical, it keeps teams moving, and it’s one more way we help people stay compliant without headaches.

Supporting Our Local Community

We’ve continued backing local youth football, supporting Newton Aycliffe Youth U9 Eagles, St Mary’s U14 Kings and Bishop Auckland St Mary’s Juniors. We’re a local business, and we’re proud to do our bit.

We’ve also repurposed pallets from deliveries to help local schools with outdoor nursery projects, and we’ve heard the mud kitchens are coming along nicely!

Shifting Gears

We’ve also had a bit of a van revolution!

While Mark’s van was in for a service, we got the chance to test-drive an electric vehicle, an interesting glimpse into the greener side of keeping things moving.

Meanwhile, Lee and Alistair both received shiny new vans of their own, and Martyn has continued to keep his van tidy! With our engineers travelling across the UK for servicing, installations, and validations, we’re making sure they can do it comfortably (and reliably), because turning up ready to work starts long before the first tool comes out.

The Moments In Between (That Matter Too)

Not everything worth mentioning is a technical milestone. This year, Mark also enjoyed three days of golf in Scotland, invited by Mike Cummins from Cummins Podiatry in Ryton. It was a brilliant little break, and a nice reminder that good working relationships are built over time (and occasionally over a few rounds of golf).

A Year of Fun, Focus, and Firsts

Between attending events like New College Durham’s Podiatry Progression Day, receiving brilliant client feedback, and landmark installs, including many returning customers, 2025 has already been packed with highlights. Of course, we can’t ignore the real backbone of operations, the office Yorkshire Tea collection. Let’s just say Maisie and Katie are never far from a brew!!

What’s Next?

We’re still growing, still evolving, and still doing what we do best; helping keep practices, labs, clinics and research environments running smoothly and safely.

We are also consistently sharing tips and advice to help keep your sterilisation running smoothly- keep an eye on our socials!

If you need validation, servicing, installation, repairs, outsourced sterilisation, or just straight advice on the right setup for your environment, we’re here and ready.

Call us on 01977 680 290

Email info@da-ss.co.uk

Looking forward to 2026!!