Stalybridge Manufacturer cuts carbon and costs with expert sustainability support

Stamford Products is a Stalybridge-based manufacturer and supplier of materials handling and storage systems, primarily supplying to Industrial and Healthcare clients around the world. Stamford Products recognised that rising energy costs were both a financial and business contingency concern, and contacted Green Economy for support.

Identifying resource efficiencies

With energy-intensive manufacturing processes, the business needed a clear, data-led understanding of their energy consumption patterns, practical recommendations they could act on, and support navigating the funding landscape to make investments viable.

Green Economy consultant Carl Hirst worked with the business to carry out a detailed analysis of the company’s energy data, identifying usage patterns and out-of-hours consumption that revealed immediate low-cost savings opportunities. Green Economy also delivered training to Stamford’s sustainability team, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to monitor and manage their sustainability strategy independently.

Building on this foundation, a thorough site assessment identified three potentials for green investment – a fixed speed compressor replacement, replacing old fluorescent lighting, and the installation of solar panels.

Accessing funding to power green investment

Despite falling payback periods for green technology investments, initial capital can be a barrier to many businesses looking to upgrade their equipment or premises – but there are often funding sources available to businesses to help them adopt sustainable technologies.

Green Economy supported Stamford Products in a successful Made Smarter grant application, providing them with £50,000 to purchase a larger variable-speed compressor, and replace their lighting to motion sensor LED bulbs.

Costs, carbon and contingency

With the help of the grant funding, the new compressor and LED lighting upgrade is projected to deliver an annual energy cost savings of almost £40,000, and a carbon reduction of 40.6 tCO2e every year – substantial figures for an SME and proof that sustainability can be leveraged to support productivity and growth.

Beyond the figures, the new lighting has improved the working environment, with staff feeling motivated by tangible investment in green technologies. Green Economy also delivered training to a number of Stamford Products employees, giving them the knowledge and skills and continue to identify and act upon energy efficiency opportunities.

Green Economy support for your business

Green Economy offers support to businesses looking to leverage sustainable technologies to cut down on energy costs, save carbon, and build lasting growth. Green investments can be used to improve resiliency, strengthen supply chains and enhance competitiveness – if you’d like to explore how your business could benefit, get in touch.