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InterfaceFLOR has even more success at environmental awards

1 July 2009, United Kingdom
Company receives a Major Commendation from Richard Lambert, Director-General of the CBI.

The best in UK environmental excellence was celebrated on 1 July at the 2009 Business Commitment to the Environment (BCE) Environmental Leadership Awards in London. 12 companies received recognition for their outstanding achievements and InterfaceFLOR received a Major Commendation from Richard Lambert, Director-General of the CBI

Founded by Sir Peter Parker in 1975, the BCE Awards scheme is one of the world's longest running environmental award schemes. It celebrates businesses that the BCE independent judging panel recognises as meeting the commercial demands of the present, without compromising the environment for future generations.

InterfaceFLOR is no stranger to BCE success having won the top prize, the Sir Peter Parker Award, in 2005. The worldwide leader in the manufacture of modular flooring joins an elite group of businesses that have impressed the expert judging panel on more than one occasion.

Commenting on the company's latest BCE Awards success, Lindsey Parnell, CEO and President of InterfaceFLOR Europe, Middle East, and Africa says: ‘We are delighted to have won this Major Commendation at the prestigious BCE Environmental Leadership Awards. It demonstrates our unfailing commitment to Mission Zero – our pledge to achieve a zero carbon footprint by 2020 - despite today's tough economic times’.

InterfaceFLOR’s ‘mission zero’ promise is a pledge to eliminate any negative impact on the environment as a result of its operations by 2020. Integral to this, its QUEST (Quality Utilising Employees Suggestions and Teamwork) waste elimination programme caught the eye of the BCE judges. Set up to identify, measure and eliminate waste, QUEST has resulted in the identification and introduction of a number of key changes, including: smart and variable voltage lighting systems, intelligent conveyers, building management controls, on-site recycling and lean manufacturing

To date, the company boasts a 75% reduction in waste to landfill since 1996, a 45% reduction in energy consumption per unit of output and a 75% reduction in water use. In addition, net greenhouse gas emissions have been slashed by 82% - despite the company’s significant growth over this period.

Bovis Lend Lease scooped the Sir Peter Parker Award and the winners of the BCE Premier Awards were: Pfizer, River Dart Country Park, Sainsbury’s with NCR and Toyota Manufacturing UK. Major Commendations were also awarded to: BaxterStorey, Camira Fabrics, Marshalls, Robert Wiseman Dairies, ScottishPower Renewables and Seacourt.

Praising all of this year’s winners, BCE President, Sir Anthony Cleaver, commented: ‘Never in BCE’s 35-year history has UK business faced greater economic challenges. This year’s BCE Award winners must surely be congratulated. They should be very proud of their outstanding achievements and held up as shining examples of how improved environmental performance can deliver significant business benefits’.

Sponsored by AEA, Blake Lapthorn, Brunswick, E.ON, Gazeley and The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the 2009 BCE Awards once again successfully promoted the business benefits that the UK’s environmental pioneers have achieved through their endeavours and ingenuity.

Congratulating the winners, Richard Lambert, Director-General of the CBI, said: ‘The CBI has just published its second climate change tracker, which monitors the progress of government and business towards meeting our environmental goals. It shows that much needs to be done to get us back on track, not least by business. Today's winners are true low-carbon leaders. They have made great strides in curbing their emissions and developing some remarkable low-carbon products and services. It will be their commitment and innovation that will get us on the road to a low-carbon economy’.

Photo: Mr Lindsey Parnell, President and CEO of InterfaceFLOR Europe, Middle East and Africa accepts the 2009 BCE Major Commendation from Richard Lambert, Director General of the CBI.

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