Bedford

Dunstable Office Furniture Manufacturer Takes Top Environmental Honours At Business Excellence Awards

19th Dec 2005

Dunstable-based office furniture manufacturing company the Arenson Group won the coveted Sustainable Business Category, sponsored by Bedfordshire County Council. On winning the Sustainable Business Award, Arenson’s Health, Safety and Environment Manager, Godwin Kudawoo says, “This tops it all. The recognition of our efforts within industry is really heartening. Quite apart from the obvious commercial benefits, this confirms for us the worthiness of striving for sustainability. I think this is the best motivator yet”.

Arenson’s success is testament to what can be achieved by any company taking advantage of the help on offer to smaller firms. Godwin attended the Business Environmental Training Initiative (BETI), which helped him to start addressing the control of pollution, waste, energy, and water. Support from Bedfordshire Green Business Network resulted in extraordinary results - 21% reduction in energy use; 45% reduction in waste to landfill; 30% reduction in water use – all of which translated to bottom line savings of £35,000 per year. Further peer support from Bedfordshire Green Business Network member Degussa Goldschmidt helped Arenson successfully achieve ISO 14001. Godwin says, “Incorporating sound environmental management into running your business is inevitable and here to stay. It’s not nearly as difficult as it first appears and the benefits are real. Anyone can be cynical but if you embrace the opportunities you’ll achieve so much more. But don’t try reinventing the wheel! There is a lot of support out there and by bringing your questions to the forum, you can both help yourself and stimulate the thinking of those who are more experienced”.

For further information:

www.gbn-bedfordshire.org.uk
info@gbn-bedfordshire.org.uk
Contact Sarah Williams

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