A NORTH East manufacturer is driving down its carbon footprint, after committing to reduce energy consumption and reduce waste.
Nifco UK, a plastics manufacturer in Eaglescliffe, has received official ISO 50001 certification, in recognition of the business’ measures to reduce its energy use. With the new standard in place, the business is committing to reducing its energy consumption year on year, building on a number of existing initiatives already in place to minimise its environmental impact.
The business, which produces parts that are used in the manufacture of cars by Nissan, Ford, Honda, Toyota and Jaguar Land Rover, employs over 550 staff and has expanded its premises over the past few years, opening a second factory with a specialised R&D facility in 2014. Throughout the company’s growth, Nifco has continued its commitment to improving energy saving, with its two Stockton factories both designed to minimise dock to dock transport, micro-efficiencies that have a big impact on Nifco’s carbon footprint.
Mike Matthews MBE, Nifco UK managing director and European operations manager, said: “We’re delighted to be ISO 50001 certified. Reaching this standard is great recognition of the work we have done to ensure we minimise the impact we have on the environment, and provides a strong sense of just how far we have come since we moved from our old, inefficient factory, to one that has been designed to be as energy-efficient as possible.
“We are part of a very energy intensive industry and it’s vital that other businesses like Nifco take steps towards reducing energy usage wherever possible, not only for financial savings for the business, but primarily, in order to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.”
ISO 50001 provides a framework for organisations to develop a policy for more efficient use of energy, helping them to understand their energy-use better, set and reach targets, measure results and continually improve energy management. The standard puts Nifco UK in line with the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme Regulations 2014.
The certification adds to Nifco UK’s green agenda, with the business recycling all possible materials having achieved zero waste to landfill for more than seven years.
Mr Matthews added: “We have taken huge steps over the last decade or so to reduce waste right across the business, and – from the shop floor to the boardroom – the team is doing all it can to improve day in day out. This really is a huge step towards a greener future for us.”
For more information on Nifco UK, visit nifcoeu.com.