Ultraframe Environmentally Sound

Conservatory specialist, Ultraframe has received a hat trick of commendations at the Lancashire Business Environment Association Environmental Awards, held on 15th November 2007.

The Awards are designed to provide businesses with recognition for their achievements in reducing the environmental impacts of their activities over the last twelve months. Due to the success of last year's competition and the vast number of entries, the awards were split into two groups, small and medium enterprises (under 250 employees) and larger companies (over 250 employees).

Ultraframe was commended for its excellence in Health and Safety, Environmental Management and Energy Efficiency; three areas in which the company has strived to further improve efficiencies over the last 12 months. Mike Price, Operations Director at Ultraframe commented: ‘We are very pleased with the commendations Ultraframe has received from the Lancashire Business Environment Association. We have worked extremely hard to research and implement the initiatives that have both reduced wastage and the cost of day-to-day operations. All the employees at Ultraframe have embraced the energy efficiency practices and it is now a part of our culture.’

Ultraframe was commended for Health and Safety Practices (sponsored by NW Workplace Health Connect) for initiatives that were implemented to reduce and prevent accidents during the manual handling process. For example, the move away from a 'one-man one-roof' operating model to a lean cellular manufacturing concept, along with system dictated pack weights, has vastly reduced manual handling hazards through reduced lifting and shifting operations by introducing pack weights no greater than 25kg. A further example of Ultraframe's dedication to improving Health and Safety practices is that the company has invested in educating and supporting 42 First Aiders, 3 times more than the recommended figure for the size of operation.

The Environmental Management Award commendation, sponsored by Lancashire Economic Partnerships, praised waste management initiatives that have helped Ultraframe improve recycling performance from 50% in the Summer of '05 to a present day performance of approximately 70% of waste being recycled.

The waste management programme at Ultraframe has seen material utilisation improvements during the year, providing a substantial five figure saving for the company. Increased utilisation of the computer controlled machining centre, whereby more material is cut automatically rather than by hand at a bench, has ensured better utilisation of bar length material and less off-cut wastage.

Energy efficiency is a hot topic at the moment due to the increase in awareness of Global Warming, causing many organisations to reassess how they operate. Ultraframe has dramatically streamlined their operations, reducing the use of energy resources and running costs. The Energy Efficiency Award for 2007 was sponsored by Lancashire County Developments Agency. Ultraframe were commended for their work in this area, with one example being the introduction of Universal Stillages and Moffet Mounty 'piggy-back' fork lifts, as part of the updating of existing vehicle fleet, which will facilitate better vehicle fill, thus reducing the vehicle fleet by two HGV's and realise a reduction in mileage, saving over 90,000 litres of diesel per year.

The three commendations are a true testament to Ultraframe's hard work and intelligent thinking, not just in the field of product development but also in key environmental and operational areas.

In September 2007 Ultraframe was awarded the Best Engineering Plant at the Best Factory Awards, and was recognised alongside household names such as Coca Cola and Coors. Mike Price concluded: ‘It is now widely recognised that a successful business has to move with the times, not just in terms of our core product offering, but also by continually assessing the ways in which we work, and how we can better these practices for the good of Ultraframe but also, the environment. Our recent clutch of awards & commendations demonstrates our commitment to excellence across these important areas of the business.’

Web: http://www.ultraframe.co.uk