01. Who We Are
This website is operated by Dowson Engineering, which provides industrial condition monitoring, vibration analysis, industrial connectivity and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) engineering services. Our website is https://dowson.engineering/.
02. Information We Collect
When you contact us, we may receive your name, business name, job role, email address, telephone number, details of your enquiry and any other information you choose to provide. During a commercial relationship, we may also process correspondence, project contact details, quotations, invoices and service records.
Our website and its service providers may process technical information such as IP address, browser and device details, access times, requested pages and security logs. The precise information depends on the hosting, security, analytics and cookie tools in use.
03. How We Use Information
We use personal information to respond to enquiries; discuss requirements; prepare proposals and quotations; deliver and support engineering services; manage supplier and customer relationships; maintain website security; meet legal and accounting obligations; and establish, exercise or defend legal claims where necessary.
We do not describe information as being used for email marketing unless such activity actually takes place. If we introduce marketing communications, this policy and our consent or opt-out arrangements will be updated as required.
04. Our Lawful Bases
Depending on the purpose, our lawful basis under UK GDPR may be: legitimate interests in responding to business enquiries, operating a secure website and managing business relationships; steps taken at your request before entering a contract or performance of a contract; compliance with legal obligations; or consent where required, including for certain non-essential cookies or marketing.
Where we rely on legitimate interests, we consider those interests against the rights and freedoms of the individuals concerned. You may object to certain processing carried out on this basis.
05. Contact Forms and Correspondence
If you submit an enquiry form or contact us by email or telephone, we use the details provided to deal with your request and any related follow-up. Do not submit sensitive personal information through a general enquiry form unless it is genuinely necessary.
Enquiries may be stored in website systems, business email, customer relationship records or project files, depending on our actual working practices.
06. Comments and Gravatar
Public commenting is disabled on the website. We do not invite visitors to submit comments or use a public comments section as a means of collecting personal information. The standard WordPress comments and Gravatar wording has therefore been omitted.
07. Cookies and Analytics
Cookies and similar technologies may be used for essential website operation, security, preferences and, if enabled, analytics or embedded content. Strictly necessary technologies may be used without consent where the law permits; non-essential technologies generally require appropriate consent before being set or accessed.
08. Sharing and Service Providers
We may share information with service providers where necessary to operate the website and business, such as website hosting, email, IT support, form-processing, accounting and professional advisers. These providers should only process information for appropriate purposes and under suitable safeguards.
We may disclose information where required by law or to protect legal rights. We do not state that personal information is sold.
09. International Transfers
Some website, cloud or email providers may process information outside the United Kingdom. Where UK GDPR restricted-transfer rules apply, we will use an appropriate lawful transfer mechanism and any necessary safeguards.
10. How Long We Keep Information
We keep personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described, including responding to enquiries, maintaining business records, fulfilling contractual commitments and meeting legal or regulatory requirements.
Retention depends on the record type, its relevance, applicable limitation periods and legal obligations. When no longer required, information is securely deleted or anonymised where practicable.
11. Security
We use proportionate technical and organisational measures intended to protect personal information against unauthorised access, accidental loss, alteration or disclosure. No internet transmission or storage method can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
12. Your Data Protection Rights
Subject to applicable conditions and exemptions, you may have rights to be informed; access your personal data; request correction or erasure; restrict or object to processing; receive data portability where applicable; and withdraw consent where processing relies on consent.
To make a request, contact Dowson Engineering through the website’s available contact details. We may need to verify your identity and will respond within the timescales required by applicable law. Withdrawal of consent does not affect processing carried out lawfully before withdrawal.
13. Complaints
If you have concerns about our handling of personal information, please contact us first so we can investigate. You also have the right to complain to the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at https://ico.org.uk/.
14. Third-Party Links and Embeds
Our website may link to external websites or include third-party content. Those services may have their own privacy practices and may collect information when you interact with them. We recommend reviewing their notices.
15. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when our website, services or legal requirements change. The current version will be made available on this page.
