Contents:
- Editor's welcome
- Britain’s Got Talent - Young stars finish second
- Men of Rochdale 2019: Paul Ellison & Ray Smith
- Stephen Gartland Foundation
- Buckley Menswear goes digital
- Reuse Littleborough
- Slow-cooked ox cheek recipe
- Rochdale's Got Talent
- Jolly Josh - a portrait of families in lockdown
- Rochdale Town Hall: Then and Now
- Being Ellysse Mason
- RAFC players read dinosaur story for schools
- Giant artwork celebrating the best bits of Rochdale opens
- Castleton Health and Leisure Centre
- Hairdressing Trend - High-Vis Red
- Rochdale manufacturer beats Bank of England to green award »
- Apple & blueberry crumble with homemade custard recipe
- Bluebird Care Rochdale recognised as best in Bluebird Group
- The importance of making a will
- Take a walk at Watergrove
- Boost for local manufacturing institute plans
Winter 2020Rochdale manufacturer beats Bank of England to green award
It was Friday 18 September when Richard Hagan, managing director of Rochdale manufacturer Crystal Doors, learnt that his company had won the Energy and Carbon Transition category at the virtual IEMA Sustainability Impact Awards 2020.
The judges praised the way the company had got employees, suppliers, customers, and the local community engaged in its ambitious net zero strategy - achieving an overall balance between emissions produced and emissions taken out of the atmosphere.
Announcing the prestigious environmental award online, the judges said: “Recruiting employees who live within three miles is now a 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.”
The success proved even more remarkable for the company as the seven-strong shortlist included the Bank of England.
Mr Hagan said: “Myself and staff were watching the ceremony virtually and I had no expectations of winning. When they suddenly announced our name, I almost keeled over. It took me 24 hours to recover and it was a bit surreal, but I think it’s great for Rochdale.”
Crystal Doors is so committed to becoming one of the first businesses in Greater Manchester to be carbon neutral that 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 added: “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.
“We’re continuing our digital transformation and will never stop trying to reduce our carbon footprint further.”