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Hampshire & Isle of Wight Sustainable Business Awards 2004 Case Study:  SP Systems Ltd

At the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sustainable Business Awards 2004 in June, SP Systems Ltd were a runner-up in the Large Business Category. Following this success, SP Systems went on to the SEEDA Sustainable Business Awards in November 2004 and won the Large Business Category. Following is their case study from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight 2004 Awards

SP was founded in the late 1970s in Cowes. Since then it has moved to a purpose built site in Newport, and has expanded to operations in Spain, North America and Australia, with over 700 employees worldwide. Specialising in composite materials and technologies, SP manufactures products such as structural prepegs, liquid epoxies for resin infusion and laminating, epoxy and polyester adhesives to the wind energy, marine and automotive markets

Key Achievements

  • Energy usage reduced from 0.623 KwH per unit of manufacture in 1999, to 0.518 KwH in 2003

  • Innovation in backing paper re-use – twice. A total of 414 tonnes.

Sustainability Achievements

SP researches the re-use of epoxy composite material as a filler in pastes and glues, as well as continuously investigating the extension of product life.

The new facilities at St Cross Business Park underwent a full evaluation before construction, in order to minimise noise pollution, to effect the installation of efficient air conditioning and insulation – as well a being designed as a pleasant place to work.

Social Achievements

Assessment of SP’s newly-implemented Health & Safety system in 2003 culminated in successful certification to OHSAS 18001, which acknowledges the company’s careful controls on the chemicals it handles. SP includes H&S in its new employee induction programme, conducts ongoing training for employees in this area and ensures that each department has a qualified First Aider. SP is also concerned with the physical and emotional well-being of their employees, offering for example a variety of training courses, a gym with a personal fitness trainer and external advice on relaxation exercises.

Leadership and Management

SP use significant quantities of chemicals in its operations, so all new processes are fully risk-managed before implementation. The implementation of several schemes across SP have been as a result of suggestions by the workforce.

SP is also a member of the Isle of Wight Composites Cluster, a SEEDA initiative to promote technical excellence and to share knowledge in this area. The CEO of SP is the ‘composites champion’ of this group. SP is the only composite materials manufacturer in the group with the remainder being an assortment of boat builders and aeronautical companies. SP is also a member of a similar marine cluster, which encourages new businesses in the marine field.

Environmental Achievements

  • Last year, SP underwent three BSI assessments, and its EMS was given a clean bill of health with no non-conformities raised. Progress has now been made towards the implementation of an Integrated Management System. A specific Energy Policy was included in a new EMS, and savings were made by increased insulation on pipes, a switch-off campaign and general awareness-raising.

  • SP undertook a survey to identify areas with potential energy-saving opportunities and formed an action plan for implementation. This survey was funded by DEFRA, for its Action Energy Survey. The report found a maximum further 10% saving which could be achieved from numerous small projects implemented this year.

  • In 2003, despite an increase of 30% in production, 170% more paper was able to be re-used in one production process, after a system was developed to re-roll the waste backing paper for a second use. The process only allows a single re-use. After that, it is removed – free of charge – by a contractor who re-uses the paper again as backing paper for labels, saving around £15,000 on landfill costs.

  • At the prompting of warehouse personnel, wooden pallets are now reused for delivery of products to customers and for storage in the warehouse, whereas previously these were taken to the skip. Any remaining pallets are now recycled. In addition to this, plastic packaging that is used for securing glass fibres is now compacted, baled and taken away for remelting and reuse.

  • The St Cross facility is surrounded by 3 different Sites of Special Scientific Interest SSSI sites, and as a result SP has ensured that there are substantial risk management systems in place to prevent any leakage of chemicals into these sites.

Economic Achievements

Over 500 of SP’s employees are based at the headquarters in Newport, around 85% of whom live on the Isle of Wight. New employees, who are based on the mainland are encouraged to move to the Island. An apprenticeship scheme begins this year, offering placements to students and work experience to school children

“Despite producing a chemically intensive product…SP is working hard to minimise its impacts and reduce its waste stream” - Assessor

For further information on SP Systems, please contact them on 01983 828292 or visit them at www.spsystems.com 

If you would like to read the other case studies from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sustainable Business Awards, please visit www.egeneration.co.uk/hants or contact the NRI office.

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