Rochdale manufacturer beats Bank of England to green award

The boss of Rochdale manufacturer Crystal Doors said he nearly fainted after learning they’d beaten the Bank of England to a prestigious environmental award.

Managing director Richard Hagan was watching Friday’s (18 September) virtual IEMA Sustainability Impact Awards 2020 on his laptop when the judges announced Crystal Doors had won the Energy and Carbon Transition category.

The success was all the more remarkable because the seven-strong shortlist included the Bank of England.

The judges praised the way the company had got employees, suppliers, customers and the local community all engaged in its ambitious net zero strategy.

 

 

Mr Hagan said: “Because of Covid-19 the awards were held virtually so I was watching the ceremony on my laptop at home.

“A number of staff were also watching virtually. I had no expectations of winning so when they suddenly announced our name I almost keeled over.

“I recorded the announcement and you can hear me say ‘Oh My God’. I was in a state of disbelief. It took me 24 hours to recover and it was a bit surreal but I think it’s great for Rochdale.

“I decided to push the boat out by celebrating with a vegan meal and an alcohol-free bottle of beer!”

Crystal Doors is so committed to becoming one of the first businesses in Greater Manchester to be carbon neutral it has unfurled a 9m x 3m sign on the side of its factory declaring: 'We’re closing the door on carbon emissions by 2022'.

 

 

Mr Hagan said: “Rochdale is an exemplar of advanced manufacturing and I’m convinced this will be the first of many environmental awards for the borough.

“If a small company like Crystal Doors can do it then anyone can do it. Amazon have got deep pockets but Crystal Doors have the environment in their DNA.

“Everyone in the company buys into what we’re doing and so do our customers and suppliers.

“The job’s not done. We’re continuing our digital transformation and will never stop trying to reduce our carbon footprint further.”

The judges at the IEMA Sustainability Impact Awards 2020 said: “Recruiting employees who live within three miles is now also company policy. Personal carbon footprint assessments have been carried out by all employees, and directors lead by example, both becoming vegetarian since last October, and foregoing any personal or business aeroplane travel.

“Having invested 50 per cent of its yearly turnover at £1.5m over the past five years, the innovation and commitment shown by Crystal Doors has achieved admirable reductions in carbon emissions.”