Econ Mission
Our company’s foundation is built on our values, which distinguish us and guide our actions. We conduct our business in a socially responsible and ethical manner. We respect the law, support universal human rights, protect the environment and benefit the communities where we work
Business Strategy
ECON put customers at the heart of our business. Our customers continually strive to create more sustainable operations, and we seek to enable this through the products that we provide.
As an ethical company, who manufacture motorised vehicles for the winter
market, we are extremely aware of the impact of global warming on the
environment. We have had to modify our business to develop more multi
functioning vehicles as the winters have become less harsh and customers
managing certain geographical areas or urban environments have less demand for stand alone gritters. We take our impact on the environment seriously which is evidenced by our continual investment in sustainable measures to offset and reduce this.
Sustainability is therefore a business imperative for Econ. Whilst we are working with partners to develop a viable sustainable vehicle for this sector – we focus our efforts on making our manufacturing as sustainable as possible, helping our customers to make smarter choices with regards to donor vehicles that meet or exceed the future Government directives for carbon emissions.
Econ Sustainability Approach
ECON strive towards carbon neutrality in the manufacture and development of sustainable highway maintenance vehicles.
As a manufacturing business, Econ have unavoidably high levels of power consumption and are continually reviewing our carbon footprint as part of an over-arching Environmental policy.
This policy is in line with the UK Government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050 and the Renewable Energy Directive target of generating 15% of UK energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020.
Our Power & Carbon Achievements
We take our environmental credentials very seriously and are committed to ensuring we work in the most environmentally way possible.
We have invested over £4M in sustainable measures and infrastructure development since 2015, to reduce carbon and energy consumption where possible.
In the last financial year, we have reduced our carbon footprint by 1587 tonnes in power reductions and 274 tonnes with localised service centres.
As a result of ‘material optimisation’, upto 83% of waste materials have been re-used and landfill reduced by 18%.
800 solar panels on our factory roof, will generate 15% of our power from renewable sources and offsets 62.5 tonnes of carbon.
Our third laser cutting machine promises 600% greater yield for 51% less electricity, saving approximately 41.41 tonnes of carbon from entering the atmosphere.
2 strategically placed service hubs, reduced distance travelled for maintenance, saving 154 tonnes of carbon pa.
A bespoke lighter ‘on demand’ vehicle operation system developed with DAF, makes the vehicle 5% more efficient in fuel and carbon emissions, saving 10 tonnes of carbon pa.
Movement sensing lower energy lights save 109 tonnes of carbon pa and provide a far brighter and safer work environment.
Our strategy is paying off. During the last 3 years, whilst outputs have increased by 19%, for only an 8% increase in electricity, we have burned 15% less carbon and provided 15% of energy from renewable source.
We are proud of our efforts so far, but we realise there is still more work to be done.
We are committed to using any savings created in a continuous program of
sustainable development, to further reduce our consumption or carbon
output and have a long term vision for sustainability.
We are forming collaborations to develop more sustainable winter maintenance vehicles in the future. In the meantime, the most effective way to reduce our environmental impact is to:
Invest in the ongoing development of energy saving measures within the manufacturing processes
Reduce carbon outputs through the supply chain
Convert to low or no emission vehicles wherever possible
Optimise salt distribution for winter clearing to reduce erosion
We work within the 3 core pillars of the sustainability framework, to Regenerate, Restore, Reduce. You can read more about the work that we have undertaken so far here.
Legislation
We currently work within ISO 9001 and are working towards ISO 14000
We anticipate and contribute to the development of new legislation and standards, specifically around the type and application of de-icers to reduce unnecessary erosion.
Land Use
Take account of environment issues in its approach to the control in respect of land use on these premises and adjacent local habitat.
Water Use
Introduce water management systems whenever practicable, taking full account of ground water protection and discharge.
Apprenticeships
Econ actively seek to invest in the future by employing the youth of today. Econ offers a diverse range of career paths for individuals with modern apprentice placements
Future Sustainability
As a 2nd generation family run business with 3rd generation in training. We are committed to the ongoing development of our products to meet the changing and growing needs of our customers, and as such we have a recurring investment in product development to help keep ahead of changes in legislation and operating practice.
We are systematically changing to more carbon neutral, environmentally friendly products, by designing new salt and brine distribution systems and working with partners who can help us to develop viable alternative fuel sourced vehicles. In the meantime, we are working with the same partners to improve the efficiencies of the existing systems.
We have just launched a new pedestrian and cycle path sprayer, which will help our customers/councils to meet their obligations to protect and increase the number of non motorised commutes over the next 5 years.
We plan to upgrade our renewable energy sources when we achieve payback on the solar panels, and we will continue to replace equipment with more energy efficient versions as they become due for renewal.
With a strong leadership team, who are committed to our business aims for
customer first, sustainable and ethical practice, we are confident that we will continue to improve our sustainable credentials in the future.
