from controlling environmental risks to awards winning

Why has Beyond Green and Paterson Arran worked together for 10 years?

Beyond Green believes that our role should be to embed our support in our clients’ organisations so that we are truly part of the team. This takes time and effort to understand the operations of a business as well as the culture that goes alongside. By doing so, however, we can become part of their journey towards a sustainable future and we have a front row seat to guide their development. These relationships result in a trusted partnership and long-term sustainable improvements leading to recognition.

When asked why Paterson Arran continues to work with Beyond Green, Technical Manager Adam Wilson provided this answer:

“We have worked with Beyond Green for 10 years because they have always given us really good advice and we have been able to implement a lot of projects that save money and improve our sustainability as a business.”

To understand why Beyond Green continues to provide support to Paterson Arran, Managing Director Paul Adderley explained his reasoning.

“From meeting the Managing Director and Adam, I understood their commitment to improving their environmental performance was authentic, and they were realistic to balance sustainability measures with other business needs. Our passion means we go one step beyond so knowing that Paterson Arran is authentic has been critical to our long-term partnership.”

Collaboration is key to how Beyond Green supports Paterson Arran

First, we understand their needs and what success looks like. Then, we can make sure our efforts are targeted to meet these needs, and within budget. For SMEs, like Paterson Arran, we will always look for funded support to help them achieve their ambitions. Through developing an understanding of the operations of the business and its processes, a collaborative effort is taken to scope the areas of improvement. By combining our expertise in sustainable practices with those who understand the site best, realistic and appropriate solutions are developed together.

What examples of support has Beyond Green provided?

Starting in 2008, support initiated with implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS), ISO 14001, at the Livingston Factory. This allowed for a full understanding of the practices on site to be achieved, and identify potential areas for improvement. To ensure the benefits of this system were captured, staff training on Environmental Management and EMS were provided.

Over the years of 2010-2015 Beyond Green supported Paterson Arran with questions on the ISO14001:2015 transition, recommending trainers for internal auditing courses, discussing renewable energy opportunities, as well as introducing another client to help solve issues outwith our services.

Through the Resource Efficient Scotland Program, we have supported to Paterson Arran with four projects to meet specific business needs during the period of 2015-2016. Projects target key business activities to identify, and quantify cost saving measures. Find out the full details of our resource efficiency work here.

Voltage Optimisation

The first project involved understanding the benefits of Voltage Optimisation (V.O.).V.O. is a method of reducing power consumption by regulating the voltage of electrical power supplied to a site or specific processes. Voltage optimisation equipment compensates for variations in grid-supplied electrical voltages, or can reduce inefficiencies resulting from using equipment which was designed to operate at different voltages than those supplied via the electricity grid.

Livingston site resource consumption review

The next project involved performing and resource consumption review of the Livingston site to identify key areas to reduce energy, raw materials, water and waste, leading to cost and carbon savings. These key areas included the following; using Half Hourly data analysis to identify and target reductions in unusual and undesired trends in electricity consumption; identifying opportunities to reduce air compressor consumption through regular maintenance of air pipe network; replacing the main compressor with a variable speed unit; upgrading to LED lighting; upgrading heating system; reducing paper coat accidental usage; and, reducing water consumption through fixing leaks and introducing flow restrictors.

Variable speed air compressor implementation support

Following the audit on key areas of the site, implementation support to the variable speed air compressor unit was undertaken. This involved further reviewing the initial assessment and quotes obtained to analyse five potential investment options.

Arran site energy audit

The last of the Resource Efficient Scotland projects to date included an energy audit of the Arran site to identify efficiency improvements to the site. The areas reviewed included the following; investigating the benefits of variable speed water pumps; ensuring all steam and condensate pipework is insulated; upgrading lighting to LED; utilising Half Hourly data to monitor and correct unnecessary electricity consumption; and, monitoring oil consumption.

Achieving ISO 14001:2015

During 2016, we helped Adam understand key areas to focus on in order for both the Arran factory and Livingston achieve ISO14001:2015. Find out more details about our work with ISO 14001 here.

Awards won

Our work has contributed to improving Paterson Arran Sustainability performance, which has been recognised in 2017 by winning the Management SME Award at VIBES (Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland), alongside winning the Sustainability Category at the Scottish Food and Drinks Awards.

Listen to what Paterson Arran have to say

Adam Wilson provided an interview regarding Paterson Arran’s experience of working with Beyond Green. Take a look and hear his views.

Interested in the support received by Paterson Arran? Find out more on our What We Do page or contact us.

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