Company stays competitive by going green
A Welsh powder coating company has maintained its competitive edge in the face of rising energy and waste disposal costs by
reducing its environmental impact.
Euro Quality Coatings Limited (EQC), based in Wentloog, Cardiff, was founded in 1994 and today serves a wide variety of sectors including the automotive, architectural and domestic appliance industries. The company employs 31 staff and specialises in powder coating metal components for a range of products, from architectural and automotive parts to bicycle frames and leisure equipment.
EQC has made environmental improvements an integral part of its business strategy and has reduced its landfill waste by 50%. At the same time the company has seen its turnover increase, by 5% in 2005 and 29% in 2006.
The reduction in waste has been achieved through a number of resource efficiecy initiatives such as:
- reusing component packaging from customers
- returning plastic drums to chemical suppliers
- recycling cardboard and paper.
The company also gives its cardboard reels and waste wood to local charities that provide arts and crafts materials to schools and people with learning difficulties.
In addition, EQC has reduced its carbion dioxide emissions by ensuring that gas ovens used to cure paint powder onto components are switched off when not needed. The company has also saved energy by using lower oven temperatures to achieve the same high quality paint finish and has invested in new, greener technology. It recently installed a state-of-the-art spray booth which has reduced the amount of powder wasted during the coating process by nearly 11%.
“The savings achieved have assisted in offsetting big increases in energy charges and waste disposal costs,” said Marlene Wong, EQC’s environmental officer. “This means that we have not yet had to pass these extra costs on to our customers and have maintained our competitive edge.”
EQC has gained several quality approvals and environmental accolades since it began taking steps to reduce waste and energy consumption. The company achieved certification to the maximum Level Five of the prestigious Green Dragon Environmental Standard® in March 2006, working with ARENA Network.
During October of the same year EQC also won a Wales Business and Sustainability Award for its environmental management system and the Wales Quality Award environment prize in November.
“These awards demonstrate our company’s commitment to both quality and the environment and continue to reflect the importance we place on long-term sustainability and best practice,” added Marlene.
The company now plans to convert to a non-chrome pretreatment process, making its pretreatment of non-ferrous materials one of the greenest in Europe. It is also taking steps to reduce the amount of hazardous waste going to landfill - such as using rechargeable batteries - and improve environmental awareness among staff and suppliers.
“A lot of the measures we have taken to reduce waste and energy consumption are relatively easy to implement and are really just common sense, “continued Marlene. “Taking such steps is not just good for the environment, it can also ensure that your business remains competitive.”
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