SMC recognised for environmental achievements

14 Mar 2017

BFPA member and automation experts and world leaders in pneumatics, SMC Pneumatics (UK) Limited, have scooped an accolade at the Milton Keynes Business Achievements for a second consecutive year – this time, for excellence in the Energy and the Environment category.  In 2016 the company was recognised for excellence in its manufacturing processes.

A glittering ceremony, held at Stadium MK on Thursday 9 March was attended by award nominees including the world famous Marshall Amplification, and hosted by badminton former World Champion and Olympic silver medallist Gail Emms.

SMC triumphed against tough opposition in the shape of Cawleys Recycling which provides sustainable recycling and resource management solutions, and electronic office equipment  suppliers EasyCopiers – which, coincidentally has its head office just 100 metres away from SMC!

Directors and senior managers at SMC make an annual commitment to promoting environmental best practice which is displayed in the company’s UK manufacturing and logistics facility.
Last year almost 1,400 fluorescent tubes around the company’s 24,000m2 site were replaced with LED fittings.  The result will be an average reduction in CO2 of more than 330,000kg and a cut in energy costs of around two-thirds compared with previous levels. SMC has also established an environmental committee to collect, evaluate and help implement suggestions from the workforce.
As part of its site on the western flank of Milton Keynes, SMC has around three acres of land left to grow naturally and only cut late in the year, helping preserve the diversity of flora in the local area.  This, in turn, helps nurture a beehive on site which is managed by an SMC employee who is a certified bee keeper.

SMC’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint is taken seriously by everyone at the company, explained Bob Hitner, Marketing Manager.  “Visitors to our headquarters can see examples everywhere of how seriously we take our responsibilities.  From recycling packaging materials on components we receive for knock-down assembly and reusing them for packaging of customer orders, to less obvious measures like composting tea bags and fruit peelings, it’s a responsibility that we ask all our colleagues to embrace as soon as they start work with us.  So we’re delighted that these efforts have been officially recognised, and customers can be reassured that they really are working with a responsible supplier.”

To find out more about SMC Pneumatics (UK) Ltd please visit their website www.smcpneumatics.co.uk

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