FEATURE Sustainability
Sustainability matters for parts and components supply
By Edward Arnott, WDS Components Sales Manager and Sustainability Task Force
endeavours to use less of the Earth’s valuable resources. This is in eff ort to reduce the harmful eff ects of climate change, by becoming more sustainable, in order to improve the health and wellbeing of people, now and tomorrow. The result is a prioritised matrix of practical actions, spanning all aspects of WDS’s operation, which cover both the short and long term.
A
s awareness of ecological importance grows, and the impact that industry and commerce have upon it, demand
for action is spreading to stakeholders in more diverse sectors and businesses. Individually, standard parts and components might not seem to carry the same importance as heavier products and processes, but their impact is just as important. From bolts to hinges, their essential use means these parts are all around us, in our daily lives as well as industry, and their supply chain is long reaching. Sustainability-conscious employees at parts and components suppliers are taking action, and customers are increasingly demanding commitments, too. Not that environmental care is new. WDS Components has long had an Eco Task Force that has investigated ecology impact and made commitments such as reducing energy use. But sustainability is broader and resulting actions have a wider impact. For WDS, sustainability means fulfi lling the needs of current generations without compromising on the needs of future generations, whilst ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental care and social wellbeing.
At WDS, action is driven by the Sustainability
Task Force. Comprising members from all departments, this ensures that the whole business takes action. This approach creates a scope that ranges from facility management of our factory, through to product development. The Task Force also includes all levels of seniority in the business, from junior employees to director level. Not only does this create innovative thinking on the issues that matter, but it also ensures the sustainability and longevity of WDS itself and its place in business and society. The Sustainability Task Force is driven by the mission to infl uence WDS Components in its
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Sustainability actions Considering emissions required in transportation, our goal is to manufacture as much as possible at our plant. We’re also in the process of fi tting energy usage monitors to all of our production machines, combined with other initiatives such as using the most effi cient light fi ttings, to ensuring our utility providers use renewable sources. As a result, we reduced our electricity and gas use by 3.5% last year, and we’re on track to exceed that this year. As well as sustainable production, we’ve also implemented a range of sustainable business practices: For example, in the workplace, our commitment to a 5% reduction in printing volume will save per year 3,500 sheets of paper and 63kW/h of energy. Getting to work, WDS has a car sharing policy to help reduce emissions, and to further decrease CO2
e, as
well as helping to achieve a more sustainable working environment. We also have a cycle partnership to encourage local colleagues to ride into work. We are embarking on training programmes and personal development with sustainability at the core of these plans. Sustainability doesn’t just fi nish with WDS, though. We’ve made requirements to our supply chain, ensuring that the products, materials and services we procure originate from sustainable sources. Moreover, this is a requirement that our customers are increasingly asking for. But, customer demand is far from the only reason we’ve made a commitment to sustainability. Our staff are aware of the critical nature of the global environment and the societies it supports. With a company history of 70 years, sustainability is also vital to ensure that WDS continues to prosper long term.
CONTACT:
WDS Components
www.wdscomponents.com
Supporting our
customers sustainability efforts, on track to plant 2023 trees in 2023. Rewilding Scotland
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Sustainability through: Energy Management
Product Efficiency
Supply Chain Management
* More than 20,000 sensors.
* Factory Automation. * Process Automation. * Hazardous Areas. * Harsh Environments. * Measurement & Inspection. * LED Lighting. * Vision Systems. * Machine Safety. * Vehicle Detection. * Flow & Temperature.
Turck Banner Ltd. Blenheim House, Blenheim Court, Wickford, Essex, SS11 8YT
Tel: 01268 578888
more@turckbanner.co.uk www.turckbanner.co.uk
Automation | June 2023 27
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