Press Release

Michael Fallon MP Launches Environmental Best Practice Programme

23rd September 2009

Michael Fallon MP today launched the Environmental Best Practice Programme at H+H UK in Sevenoaks on behalf of the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) South East.

MAS South East have developed an environmental programme of best practice company visits in partnership with Manufacturing Insights in order to encourage manufacturers to focus on low carbon and green issues using host companies that put responsible manufacturing at the top of their agenda.

As guest of honour at the launch event, Michael Fallon was impressed listening to the efforts of H+H, manufacturers of environmentally friendly aircrete blocks and winners of two Sunday Times Green Awards. Mark Oliver, Managing Director, H+H UK said: “It is essential that we remain competitive in the current economic climate and we believe that taking action to become ever more green by reducing our energy consumption and manufacturing in a more environmentally sustainable way, helps to lead our industry, which is why we are delighted to be launching the Environmental Best Practice Programme here with Mr. Fallon.”

Michael Fallon said: “It is encouraging to visit a local Sevenoaks manufacturing company that is flourishing – H+H
is at the forefront of the low carbon challenge facing all manufacturers and are embracing the inevitable shift towards a low carbon economy. It is important that the manufacturing community is equipped with the capabilities and skills to take advantage of the potential benefits as the world moves towards a low carbon future and MAS South East is ready to guide those companies in the right direction to take advantage of job creation and growth.”

Also speaking and presenting at the event was Ian Pateman, MAS South East Specialist: “The programme will showcase environmental initiatives that have been implemented within manufacturing organisations across the South East region, to encourage other manufacturers to deliver similar changes within their own organisation. Energy usage and waste management should be key priorities for manufacturers, driven by the need to cut costs and to improve environmental performance in response to legislation and customer pressure for green credentials higher up the supply chain.”

He continued: “Following H+H UK’s certification to the Carbon Trust Standard for its efforts to cut carbon emissions, a UK first within the construction industry, MAS South East has worked closely with H+H through our Resource Efficiency Club in Kent, which actively brings together manufacturers that want to go ‘greener’, gaining access to invaluable information on Water and Energy Management, Carbon Offsetting and Waste Collection in order to identify areas where savings can be made.”

For further information about the Environmental Best Practice Programme please contact MAS South East on 0845 609 2121 or visit www.mas-se.org.uk.

www.mas-se.org.uk

Ends


Contact Details:

Charlotte Lockwood, PR Account Manager for MAS South East
Harvest PR
Tel: 023 9244 9655
Email: charlotte.lockwood@harvestpr.co.uk

Notes to Editors
The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) South East

MAS South East provides companies with practical help and hands-on support in all aspects of manufacturing; offering easy access to professional and experienced manufacturing specialists focused on delivering real bottom line benefits – ‘Support for manufacturers from manufacturers’.

Launched by the Government in 2002, MAS is a key component of the Government’s Solutions for Business portfolio and plays a vital role in giving UK manufacturers the support they need to improve productivity and achieve success in an increasingly competitive global economy.

MAS South East supports manufacturers in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and Sussex.

Manufacturing Insights
Manufacturing Insights is a best practice visit programme managed by Onsite Insights Limited on behalf of the Manufacturing Advisory Service – South East and the London Manufacturing Advisory Service (see below).
The programme is specifically for manufacturing companies based in London and the South East of England with the aim of improving manufacturing in this country. The programme works by arranging for successful companies to host two or three visit days a year, when managers and leaders from other manufacturing companies can visit and enjoy site tours, presentations and discussions which address the challenges facing the manufacturing industry today and sharing ideas and solutions.
Further information about Manufacturing Insights or Onsite Insights can be accessed by phone: 023-9246-8978; by email: info@manufacturinginsights.co.uk; or via the websites at www.manufacturinginsights.co.uk and www.onsiteinsights.co.uk

H+H UK Limited

H+H is the UK’s largest manufacture of aircrete products. The company manufactures the market leading Celcon range of blocks, including Foundation Blocks as part of the H+H range of aircrete products.

Offering a complete building material that meets the requirements of the Building Regulations, with the flexibility to offer solutions to hospitals, schools, offices, industrial warehouses and housing (social and private). 99% of all raw materials are sourced from UK suppliers reducing the need for transportation and 80% of all raw materials are recycled products in some form. The primary ingredient is Pulverised Fuel Ash which is a by-product from coal fired power stations, which would otherwise be sent to landfill.

H+H UK operates a certified Environmental Management Systems (EMS) complying with ISO 14001 at all of our manufacturing sites. The EMS is a key part of our Integrated Management System (IMS) that combines quality control and health and safety policies. This means that environmental targets are under constant review and that, wherever possible, all raw materials are also produced under schemes certified in compliance with ISO 14001 or similar.

For further information about H+H, please call us on 01732 886444, by email: info@hhcelcon.co.uk or via the website at www.hhcelcon.co.uk