Using the scheme as an alternative to traditional supply seems a logical move given the location of GB Lubricants, however, the desire to be more sustainable is more than just geographical positioning. When we talk about sustainability, carbon footprint etc quite often companies become consumed with the product or services but GB Lubricants have taken a step back to look at their supply chain integrity and develop ways in which they can push their operational efficiency to a new level of production site sustainability, benefitting their customers, employees and production site alike.
I met up with Martin France – the Council’s Energy Projects Team Leader, who has overseen the last stages of the minewater and solar scheme – as well as, Graeme King (Communications Gateshead Council) to walk around the project and understand more about its infrastructure. Accompanied by Simon Taylor (Operations Manager), Paul Perry (Group Facilities Manager) and Paul Booth (Managing Director) of GB Lubricants to uncover more about the scheme itself and how it would be of benefit to GB Lubricants and from an operational perspective how they would be implementing this technology and the long-term change it brings to their business.
Paul Booth explained ‘When we first heard about Gateshead Councils pioneering Green Energy scheme their community driven environmental goals instantly resonated with our own. We had been closely monitoring progress for several years before proactively chasing hard to collaborate as soon as the council team were in position to expand the coverage outside of their own facilities. It’s important to us that this investment is embedded into our long-term strategy that’s why we have committed to a 20 year connection. Not only does it provide a real business benefit during these uncertain times, it is also a huge opportunity for our company to pursue its desire to become more sustainable, immediately reduce its CO2
and harnessing new technologies. Being sustainable is more than just reducing carbon, it includes taking a holistic approach to the organisation and seeing how it can work within its local setting to the benefit of the wider community. By connecting in to this scheme I hope it will encourage other local businesses to join in the future. It’s my hope that our major commitment will help seed further growth for Gateshead Council in supporting Green energy for local authority housing, job creation and achieving their own ambitious carbon targets. For GB Lubricants this is another element in making long term tangible changes in how we do business to protect ours and everyone else’s future.
Paul Booth,
Managing Director, GB Lubricant
Our aim is to be at the forefront of low carbon, sustainable manufacturing for lubricants. The Energy project realisation further cements our position as a very attractive business to deal with especially for our customers, end users, distributors and suppliers who are also following sustainable agendas. We want to grow our profile to be seen as one of the most sustainability proactive lubricant companies worldwide.’
This is a huge step forward in renewable energy for towns and businesses, driven forward by Jim Gillon, Martin France and many more of their colleagues at Gateshead Council. Housing, academia, corporates all thriving from this one project.
footprint on our path to zero carbon energy, and support the local council and community. Being the first private company to connect in to this scheme is an incredibly proud moment for myself, our dedicated operations team who worked so hard to deliver this, our employees, and especially our family board members who have shared and backed our long-term sustainability vision ever since I arrived in 2016. For a company about to celebrate 150 years of business in 2027 it’s exciting to still be looking to the future
Unfortunately, Jez Crooks has since passed away, in January 2021, and wasn’t able to see his dream come to life. But as recognition of his work, the boreholes that he inspired and which are drilled 150m down into the mines under Gateshead, are all now labelled with his initials JC. A fitting tribute to a man who had a vision...
https://www.gblubricants.co.uk/
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.174 APRIL 2023
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