A business that does its best to identify efficiencies is often
driven not by environmental concerns but by the bottom line.
However, for any business, considering the environmental impact
goes hand in hand with cost savings.
Wyedean Weaving has had to be lean to survive. The West
Yorkshire manufacturer of uniform accessories has over 150 years of
experience of removing any last shred of waste from its
processes.
Mentor is helping formalise what has already become second
nature for the business, and to gain recognition for its efforts by
helping the firm to work towards ISO 14001, the internationally
recognised environmental management system. But it’s not just a
box-ticking exercise.
The 15 employees understand the importance of being an
environmentally conscious business because, as Operations Director
Andrew Harrison explains, it may keep them in a job.
He says: “We supply the MoD and police forces and while it’s not
a statutory requirement, the tender process asks if we have ISO
14001. We’re preparing in advance because if the criteria change we
could have problems.”
Andrew has responsibility for Employment Law, Health &
Safety, maintaining the factory and looking after customers and
suppliers. He’s already spread thinly, and any formal environmental
management system had to be one he could implement with minimal
effort.
Chris Wilson, Senior Environmental Consultant at Mentor,
reviewed Wyedean’s environmental management system: “We’ve made it
simpler so Andrew only needs to dedicate a little bit of time to
keep it in place.”
Chris believes that long-term success is a business that isn’t
overly reliant on his services; businesses should use the service
as much as possible but in a way that enables them to identify
issues for themselves.
Once ISO 14001 has been achieved, Mentor will help maintain
Wyedean’s ISO 14001 system and continue to give guidance on
forthcoming legislation and best practice.
“Mentor keeps us compliant,” Andrew explains, “but if there is a
problem where we’re in breach we know they will support us if it
goes to court. It’s like an insurance policy – and allows us to
sleep well.”
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