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Hambleside Danelaw promotes sustainability checklist for contractors as local MP opens new Daventry factory
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Building products manufacturer and multi-environmental award winner, Hambleside Danelaw, has marked the official opening of its new state-of-the-art factory in Daventry with the publication of a new set of recommendations for developers and contractors to follow when ordering building materials that meet high environmental standards.
The new manufacturing facility for roofing and ventilation products was opened today by local MP, Mr Tim Boswell, who has actively supported the Group’s campaign for government measures to encourage the construction of sustainable public and commercial buildings.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Hambleside Danelaw’s chairman, David Yellop, said: “Today is the culmination of three years of management planning and the hard work of our staff to consolidate the production activities which at its peak reached nine smaller factories in Daventry into this modern, 50,000 square feet production and distribution facility. This will enable Hambleside Danelaw to distribute some 4 million roofing product units each year.”
The Group has published a new environment brochure which shows how the product manufacturer, designer, contractor, sub contractors and the developer can now work together to ensure that buildings constructed to the highest possible environmental standard, not only at the point of handover to the occupier, but throughout the service life of the building. Developers and contractors who are involved in new build and refurbishment projects should ask the following questions:
- Are the manufacturer’s environmental policies independently verified?
- Does the manufacturer incorporate its environmental policies into a wider corporate social responsibility policy?
- Does the manufacturer have a greenhouse gas emission offset scheme?
- Is that offset scheme independently certified and transferable to the customer?
- Are the manufacturer’s carbon offset calculations independently verified?
- Will the manufacturer take responsibility for products disposal at end of service life?
- Does the product in use have a positive environmental impact, for example, replace lead, or provide a high degree of insulation?
- Do the manufactured products have an element of sustainable or recycled materials used within their production?
- Is it possible to source the products within the UK?
- Can the products be traced back to the manufacturer for future reference and identification?
- Do the products have a long service life built into their design to minimise replacement during the building’s service life?
- Is there a clear, traceable route for the recycling of the product at end of life?
Pdf copies of the brochure can be downloaded from:
http://www.hambleside-danelaw.co.uk/environmental-affairs.html.
Latest R&D to focus on solar energy and emergency relief
Referring to the Group’s commitment to innovation which earned it a Queen’s Award for Enterprise last year, Mr Yellop said: “We are presently conducting research and development to harness the benefits associated with solar energy into building products – an exciting project that is likely to change the way we construct domestic and industrial roofs in the future. We are also working with agencies associated with disaster relief to manufacture and supply easily portable shelter accommodation to assist in the world’s areas of disaster.”
Chairman thanks local council for support
David Yellop added: “For an organisation, whose roots started to grow in 1966 from a desk, telephone and typewriter, we have much to be proud. None of our achievements would be possible without dedicated management and a staff which loyally worked with us over the years.
“We wish to express our particular thanks to the Daventry District Council for their investment and regeneration of Middlemarch and for working so closely with us to provide this new home of production and to achieve the smooth transition of our operations.”
