Energy Management : James Cropper is certified to ISO 50001

Effective energy management makes good business sense and of course is nothing new to James Cropper. As a signatory to the paper sector Climate Change Agreement (CCA) efficient energy management and utlisation has been a top priority for the team at James Cropper. The recent certification to the international energy management standard, ISO 50001, means that the company’s energy management system (EnMS) has been independently assessed and follows best practice guidelines and recommendations to help save energy and meet environmental requirements.
ISO 50001 is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act structure for continual improvement held in common with the other company certifications such as ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management). Certification also means that the Company is now compliant with the UK Government's mandatory Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme (ESOS).
For nearly 30 years the company has been using a quality assured combined heat and power (CHPQA) plant for its energy needs. On a smaller scale, but no less important in our energy-efficiency plan, has been the investigation of local renewable energy options. Working closely with Ellergreen Hydro we commissioned a hydro scheme located adjacent the mill on the river Kent, and Burneside Community Energy are currently installing a PV solar array on the factory roof which will supply electricity directly to James Cropper.
Ongoing work for energy saving involves replacing pumps and motors around the site for newer and more energy efficient models, pipe lagging and insulation, smart / LED lighting installations, improvements in turbine efficiencies, improvements to compressed air systems, steam system efficiencies, simple switching off, monitoring and targeting - and keeping abreast of and embracing new technologies.
Dave Watson, Chief Operations Officer, said: “The ISO 50001 energy management standard is a proven framework for organisations to manage energy. This internationally recognised certification gives us the structure and discipline to implement technical and management strategies that reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions—and sustain these over time. Massive congratulations go to the team for all the hard work towards this achievement.”
A formal presentation of our ISO 50001 certificate was made at BSI EMEA Headquarters in Milton Keynes on 24th November 2015. The James Cropper team pictured left to right : Mark Shepherd, John Brinsden, Lee Finch, Anthony Bowness and Richard Duffell.