A Wiltshire manufacturer has reduced its carbon output after purchasing a sustainable EPC A rated building equipped with 130 solar panels to further support the decarbonation of the business.
Plastic Engineering Solutions (PES) specialises in injection moulding, a manufacturing process where molten material is injected into a mould cavity to create a specific shape. It works with clients across a range of sectors including construction, pharmaceuticals, homeware and electrical vehicle (EV) charging systems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the firm also played a huge role in manufacturing coronavirus tests, creating up-to 4 million tests a week.
An innovation-focused business, PES is one of 40 manufacturers working alongside Innovate UK, a government back innovation agency, that aims to support and scale SMEs. Since working with Innovate UK, the business has outlined an ambitious plan to target 30% growth over the next 12 months.
As part of these growth ambitions, PES is committed to operating as sustainably as possible. It intends to reduce its overall energy consumption by 10% year-on-year for the next three years, as it gears up to achieve net zero ahead of the government’s 2050 zero emissions targets.
As part of their green strategy the firm has worked with Lloyds to unlock £500,000 in funding to purchase a new, more sustainable manufacturing unit to operate from. The building is located on Bowerhill Industrial Estate, Melksham and is equipped with a 55kw solar energy system that is set to generate 45,000kWh of electricity each year – almost 10% of the business’s entire usage. It’s expected that the new facility will help save the firm up to £15,000 in energy bills each year.
The new, EPC A rated building was purchased through the Lloyds Green Finance fund, which offers discounted lending to assist with sustainability goals. The discounted lending has also allowed the firm to purchase and install two EV chargers on site – allowing them to power their fleet of EVs directly from energy generated by solar panels.
PES intends to utilise the cost-savings made from the solar panels to invest in its 40 strong team, hiring three new colleagues in the coming months. The uptick in staff will help the firm drive growth.
Jonathan McFarlane, Managing Director of Plastic Engineering Solutions said: “Our new building marks a huge step for the business as we prioritise reducing our carbon footprint and driving sustainable growth.
“The support we have received from Lloyds has been instrumental to helping us to reduce our energy output. Not only is the new site fully equipped to generate renewable, clean energy, logistically its location improves the business’ efficiency and reduces vehicle miles when transporting our products.
“The Lloyds Green Financing fund has already allowed us to make significant savings which we were able to repurpose straight back into the business by purchasing EV chargers.”
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