CFH HAS THE ENERGY FOR SELF SUFFICIENCY
Dave Broadway (right) and Genesis Oyedotun (left) discuss energy requirements at CFH.
A partnership has been set up between leading document management company CFH, and UWE, The University of the West of England, which aims to make the Somerset firm energy self-sufficient possibly within two years.
Genesis Oyedotun, who is currently undertaking a Masters Degree in Renewable Energy Systems Engineering, will be working at CFH over the next two years to research and implement extensive carbon saving measures.
"We will be looking at a number of different methods of energy generation on site, such as solar and wind power, a steam turbine which burns paper, and maybe even a methane fuelled generator," says Genesis. "By examining each production process throughout the company, reviewing and identifying wastage, we are able to produce an energy map of the site. We will then use the research and engineering experience at UWE to investigate and implement the most appropriate solutions for CFH."
CFH Total Document Management is based on a 10 acre site at St Peter’s Park in Radstock. The company operates a thriving document management business and is one of the country’s leading providers of secure print solutions. Each year around 350 million critical documents are produced on site. The company employs 200 people and has a turnover of £27m.
Believed to be the first collaboration of its kind within the print industry, CFH and UWE receive a government grant to help implement the programme.
"The energy saving potential here at CFH is huge," says Dave Broadway, managing director at CFH. “The government is looking to reduce emissions from SMEs by around 25%, which of course not only contributes greatly to EU emissions targets, but it makes financial sense. At CFH we estimate we currently spend around £1/2 million each year on energy, and if we can reduce this cost then that is an enormous boost to the company.
"This work we are doing here also prepares us for the introduction of Carbon Credits in 2010."
He continues, “The collaboration with UWE is a very exciting project. The transfer of knowledge between us is already seeing results, and with everyone in the company giving it their full support, we are confident of achieving our objectives.
"We have been able to implement some immediate improvements, such as installing a new, low energy lighting system in the factory, and we are already looking at features such as automatic lighting in other areas of the site, improving the thermostatic controls on the heating system, and making more use of natural daylight."
CFH is a company that has always taken its commitment to the environment seriously. Its Toptree Initiative has seen 80,000 new trees planted since the programme began in 1997 – the initiative plants twice as many trees in UK woodland as were originally used to make the paper products that carry the Toptree logo.
The company has achieved chain of custody accreditation from both the FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification), promoting responsible management of the world’s forests and assuring customers of a secure chain of custody from timber through to finished printed product.
Efficiencies have also been made in its production processes with investment in a Drent VSOP press, which has made shorter, litho print runs more viable, thus saving on waste and energy.
Dave Broadway concludes, "It has always been our policy to make genuine changes to our business processes to reduce our environmental impact, not just a paper 'tick the box' exercise. Our work with UWE will introduce fundamental changes to the way we run our business."
