At Airedale Springs, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. It goes beyond cutting emissions—it’s about rethinking our operations to conserve resources while inspiring positive change. By adopting renewable energy and prioritising responsible material choices from the outset, we reduce waste and demonstrate that manufacturing can lead the way toward a greener future without sacrificing quality or performance.
Pioneering Renewable Energy in Our Operations
Our manufacturing facility is a proud example of what’s possible when renewable energy is prioritised. With a net-zero carbon status and an impressive EPC rating of -12 A+, it highlights the impact of our advanced energy systems. On-site solar panels supply over 80% of the energy required for our operations, while a 368kW battery storage system captures and stores excess power. This ensures a consistent and reliable energy supply, even on cloudy days, maximising efficiency and minimizing waste.
We’ve also taken the significant step of eliminating gas. Our electric heating and hot water systems are now powered entirely by renewable energy, which not only lowers emissions but helps to reduce any unhealthy reliance on fossil fuels for the future. These changes show that renewable energy can be integrated into complex spring manufacturing environments like ours, demonstrating what can be achieved when sustainability is put first.
Encouraging Cleaner Transport
Our commitment extends beyond our factory boundaries. To actively reduce the environmental impact of commuting, we have installed EV charging points at our facility. These chargers have been made available not just to our staff but to any of our visitors as part of the wider UK scheme to build an EV charging network system. This is to help encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and reinforce more eco-friendly transportation options.
By championing greener travel choices, we are making a conscious effort to broader sustainability goals and demonstrating the practical changes that others can implement to create a positive impact.
Smarter Use of Materials
In manufacturing, resource efficiency is not just important; it is imperative. All our products, from springs to wire forms, are constructed using 100% recyclable metal. This guarantees that every material we utilise can be repurposed, significantly minimising waste and conserving valuable resources.
We are unwavering in our commitment to sustainable packaging, with 90% of our cardboard sourced from recycled materials. This proactive approach reduces the demand for new raw materials and ensures our operations remain environmentally responsible.
Our efforts reflect a core belief: sustainability must be embedded in every facet of our business; from the materials we choose to the way we deliver our products.
Driving Industry-Wide Change
While we’re proud of our progress, we know that meaningful change requires collective effort. That’s why we’re committed to sharing knowledge and encouraging greener practices across the manufacturing sector. It’s a vital part of our mission, and we’re determined to drive industry-wide change.
Transitioning to renewable energy and moving away from fossil fuels are essential steps toward a sustainable future. At Airedale Springs, we’ve experienced the transformative impact of solar power and energy storage in reducing dependence on external energy sources. Sustainability goes beyond our operations, encompassing supply chains, transport, and material sourcing.
By adopting sustainable manufacturing techniques, such as using recyclable materials and reducing waste, the industry can align with growing customer expectations for environmentally conscious products. Cleaner transport options, like the EV charging points we’ve installed, can also help the sector reduce its carbon footprint beyond production.
These practices not only benefit the environment but also enhance resilience, lower long-term costs, and position businesses as leaders in an ever-evolving market.
Celebrating Our Achievements
Our dedication to sustainability has earned us multiple awards, including being named Sustainable Business of the Year at the Keighley & Airedale Business Awards. We’ve also received the Sustainability Award at the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Means Business Awards and were honoured as the Net Zero Contributor of the Year 2024 at the MMMA Gala Awards.
This prestigious accolade celebrates our dedication to sustainability, environmental responsibility, and forward-thinking innovation in the metal forming industry. By embracing recognised best practices and pioneering approaches, we remain committed to advancing our business towards achieving all elements of our Carbon Reduction Plan.
These accolades demonstrate the positive impact of our work and motivate us to keep improving. They also highlight the potential of others in our industry. Embracing greener practices is not only the right choice; it is also a step toward creating a stronger, more sustainable future for manufacturing.
Looking Ahead
Sustainability is an ongoing journey, and we’re always looking for new ways to improve. By 2026, our goal is to become a net energy exporter, giving back more renewable energy to the grid than we consume. This ambitious target reflects our commitment to pushing boundaries and setting new standards for what manufacturing can achieve. We are optimistic about the future and the positive impact we can make.
We believe that every business in our sector has a role to play. Whether it’s transitioning to renewable energy, reducing waste, or encouraging cleaner transport, small, practical changes can add up to significant impact. Contact us today, and together, we can create a manufacturing industry that prioritises sustainability and thrives because of it. We invite you to join us on this journey.