MAHLE Engine Systems UK Ltd and GE Caledonian Ltd Awarded for Environmental Thinking through Supply Chain Excellence
Ayrshire-based engineering firms MAHLE Engine Systems UK Ltd and GE Caledonian Ltd, were celebrating last night (11th May 06), after scooping an Envirowise Award for Environmental Excellence in Supply Chain Efficiency.
The award, presented by First Minister Jack McConnell at the Annual Scottish Engineering Dinner, recognised the companies' outstanding contribution as part of the Envirowise Engineering Supply Chain Project, which helped both MAHLE Engine Systems UK Ltd and GE Caledonian achieve significant cost savings and improve their environmental credentials, through eliminating unnecessary waste.
Envirowise offers all businesses from across Scotland, a free and confidential programme of advice - which helps them save money and reduce their environmental impact by becoming more resource efficient.
The Engineering Supply Chain Project helped a number of companies to identify over £300,000 of potential savings through site visits* aimed at improving water efficiency, effluent reduction, and better use of resources.
Commenting on winning the Award, Scott Duncan, Environmental, Health & Safety officer of Prestwick-based GE Caledonian Ltd said: "Our future plans are to sustain the changes that we have made and pursue a lower environmental impact in all that we do from energy use, waste management, water use and C02 emissions.
"We are absolutely delighted to receive this award in recognition of our efforts to manage resources more efficiently and thus reduce the environmental impact of our supply chain."
Explaining how the programme has also enabled the award winning companies to pass on best practice to other companies, Gavin Murray, Lean Deployment Manager, of Kilmarnock-based MAHLE Engine Systems UK Ltd said:
"The programme allowed us to contribute toward, and network with other mentor companies and their suppliers hence picking up on best practices on a larger scale.
"We are delighted to receive this award from Envirowise as it recognises the efforts of the employees not only at the MAHLE site in Kilmarnock but also the efforts of employees at our suppliers' sites to reduce waste in the spirit of continuous improvement."
Alan Hendry, Envirowise Business Manager for Scotland, added: "The Envirowise Engineering Supply Chain Project has provided a number of companies with the practical tools and specialised knowledge necessary to address resource efficiency by becoming more environmentally aware, through reducing unnecessary business waste.
"Importantly, the project has helped companies to identify a range of opportunities to become more cost effective, competitive and profitable, while reducing their environmental impact."
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For further information, please contact Jenny Ingram or Laura McKenzie at Harrison Cowley on 0131 226 2363 or email on jennyi@harrisoncowley.com/lauramc@harrisoncowley.com.
About Envirowise
Envirowise delivers a valuable programme of confidential advice to UK businesses. This advice enables businesses to improve profitability and reduce environmental impact.
Independent, practical and proven guidance is available through the Envirowise Advice Line, information resources and on site visits (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales only) delivered by a national team of expert advisors. Each solution is driven by the specific needs of individual firms to genuinely improve their business practices, profitability and competitiveness. Since 1994, Envirowise has helped UK industry save £1 billion.
The Envirowise programme is available to any UK business, completely free of charge. For more information visit www.envirowise.gov.uk/scotland or call 0800 585 794.
About Envirowise's Engineering Supply Chain Project
The Envirowise Engineering Supply Chain Project will provide organisations with the practical tools and knowledge to tackle resource efficiency and waste minimisation.
The three Scotland based engineering companies Envirowise is working with are: GE Caledonian, Prestwick; Terex, Newhouse; and MAHLE Engine Systems UK Ltd, Kilmarnock.
The three host companies have a large supply chain and Envirowise have been working with upwards of 100 engineering companies, (20-30 suppliers from each host company). All companies involved are offered a free and confidential visit from Envirowise to help identify potential savings.
* Please note that different services are available in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – please contact our Advice Line on 0800 585 794 for more information on whether you are eligible for a site visit.