North East manufacturers offered free energy review

Manufacturers in the North East are being given the chance to review their resource efficiency courtesy of the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) and The Environment Agency.

Manufacturers of all sizes are eligible for the fully funded review, which will help them realise the benefits of resource efficiency.

Advice regarding the feasibility of onsite renewable energy generation and implementing Environmental Management Systems such as ISO 14001 is also available.

DEFRA estimates that UK businesses could save around £23bn per year by making changes, many of which are simple low-cost and no-cost measures, and an Environmental and Energy Review will help identify areas for improvement relating to energy, water and raw materials.

Lynn Thompson, manufacturing advisor at MAS, said: “We know that environmental improvement is becoming an increasingly important factor for organisations wishing to stay competitive and pressure from customers, legislation and consumers to reduce environmental damage are combining to force manufacturers to improve their environmental performance.

“At the same time, the cost of raw materials, transport and utilities continues to rise and resource scarcity is becoming apparent. This can all combine to make manufacturing very expensive - but there are many things businesses of all sizes can do to counteract this, often at very little to no extra cost.

“I would like to encourage all North East business who are interested in reviewing their resource efficiency to contact me so I can arrange for them to receive this valuable, free service.”

One company that has already benefitted from a review of their manufacturing processes is Allan Brothers, a timber windows and doors manufacturer based in Berwick.

Their operations support manager, Sarah Kirk, said: “The MAS resource and energy review undertaken at our manufacturing site was certainly beneficial to the company. The review itself was broad in scope, yet quite comprehensive.

“There is definitely a benefit to having experienced people on site who can review information, draw on their knowledge from visiting a range of companies and immediately identify where resource or energy usage does not look proportional.

“Having the review provided a number of pointers to further actions that could and should be taken on this site, and it gives companies in general the opportunity to act on issues and put plans in place before real problems arise. And actions to improve both resource and energy efficiency can, of course, help a business save money.

“MAS followed up by telephone after the review took place, which helped keep focus on the issues raised as well as providing an opportunity to ask the questions which inevitably arise afterwards. And it’s good to know that at any point after the review, it is possible to contact MAS for further information and advice.

“The fact that the review was free was a huge bonus; it may not have gone ahead otherwise.”

MAS is funded by BIS (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) and provides manufacturing business support for companies based in England, helping them to improve and grow. All of MAS’ skilled advisors have ‘hands-on’ experience of both shop floor working and management skills.

Any North East business interested in completing a review or requiring more information should contact Lynn Thompson on 07554 334 332.

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