Member Article

Lord Combustion Services make net zero pledge to mark 40th anniversary

Award-winning Black Country commercial heating, hot water and ventilation specialists Lord Combustion Services are stepping up their drive to improve fuel and energy efficiency after the company marked its 40th anniversary.

Oldbury-based Lord Combustion Services made the West Midlands Net Zero Business Pledge on reducing their environmental impact during a visit by West Midlands Mayor Andy Street as they celebrated their four decades of success serving clients across the region.

Administered by Sustainability West Midlands on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority, the West Midlands Net Zero Business Pledge is undertaken by businesses wanting to be part of the region’s drive to “lead the green revolution and become a net zero carbon economy by 2041”.

During his visit on Friday, Mr Street heard how Lord are working to improve clients’ energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint. The West Midlands Mayor was given a briefing on Lord’s work and had the chance to speak to staff about the company’s growth.

Since it was launched in March 1982, Lord Combustion Services has progressed from being a mechanical contractor specialising in service and commissioning of gas and oil-fired equipment to provide all aspects of mechanical and electrical building services.

Serving more than 1000 customers from its HQ in Dudley Road East, Oldbury, Lord supported key NHS sites, care homes and schools across the West Midlands throughout the challenging Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the lockdowns Lord continued to implement energy efficient solutions as part of installation contracts for the likes of Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham.

Mr Street heard about the Lord team’s work with NHS facility managers, schools and other leading site owners, helping them to make smart decisions on reducing their environmental footprint through selecting systems which make a positive difference.

When Edgbaston cricket stadium’s hot water system needed updating to accommodate year-round hospitality needs and peak usage for five-day Test match crowds, Lord halved the number of gas-fired appliances in the ground’s plant room and amended the system design to improve efficiency and output.

Lord have also improved energy efficiency at a number of school sites including retrofitting air source heat pumps as part of the Government decarburisation programme and empowering premises managers to reduce energy costs with modern control by web-based systems with efficient software strategies such as weather compensation, optimisation and zonal control to match building occupation and use.

As well as increasing year on year the number of clients reducing fossil fuel usage and using more energy efficient systems, Lord are working towards a target of becoming carbon neutral.

In November Lord was recognised for its achievements in reducing clients’ environmental impact by winning the sustainability trophy at the West Midlands Business Masters Awards, organised by regional news website Business Desk, for the team’s work in supporting clients to reduce their environmental impact.

Managing Director Stuart Smith said the team were honoured to talk to the West Midlands Mayor about their environment and sustainability work during his visit. He said: “As we mark 40 years of success, it is fantastic to be able to show the strides we are taking not only to reduce the environmental impact of our clients’ facilities but also within our own business.

“We are proud to fly the flag for the West Midlands in our sector so it meant a great deal to be able to talk to Mr Street about our plans to continue to innovate in the future as we build on our progress to date.”

Andy Street said: “Congratulations to Lord Combustion Services for achieving 40 years of continued employment for local people in the Black Country and their work for customers across the West Midlands. It was fantastic to hear about the positive impact they are making on our environment and I welcome their move to join so many other businesses in taking practical steps through the West Midlands Net Zero Business Pledge.”

As well as the sustainability success, in November Lord won two 2021 Black Country Chamber of Commerce Awards, being named service business of the year along with Emma Tibbetts winning director of the year. Last month Lord were named among the finalists for Apprentice of the Year and Small to Medium Sized Business at the 2022 Express & Star Business Awards.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chris Leggett .