Avon Engineered Rubber's domestic and overseas growth ambitions have been bolstered with an international endorsement.
The manufacturing firm, based in Maerdy, South Wales, has secured an official seal of approval from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).
ISO 50001 certification for energy management has been confirmed after Avon Engineered Rubber demonstrated how the company proved its commitment to enhance energy performance.
It marks progress for the aerosol seals and gaskets manufacturer, which is part of the Bristol-headquartered Avon Group, and employs more than 100 people, exporting worldwide from its Valleys premises.
Vincent Minchella, Managing Director of Avon Engineered Rubber, said:
“I'm proud that we have secured ISO 50001 status because it is a significant step forward for our business and will help to maintain our growth trajectory.
“It shows we are a progressive company and the accreditation is cast-iron evidence that instils confidence in our growing customer base. It provides assurance we manage our energy use seriously and build that commitment into how we operate day-to-day, not as a one-off exercise, but as part of a long-term plan.
“I'm delighted with my team who deserve immense credit for their efforts which drew strong praise from the external auditor, who confirmed that Avon Engineered Rubber is the first firm he had certified with zero minor non-conformances at the first attempt.”
As part of the certification process, the Avon Engineered Rubber team had to prove its track record in cutting energy consumption and submit a three-year energy reduction plan which detailed its long-term commitment to increase efficiency.
The Avon Engineered Rubber work at Maerdy was spearheaded by Quality Systems Manager Huw Goodhand Johns and Quality, Health, Safety and Environment Manager Gemma Skelly.
The firm, which recently opened new premises in Malaysia as South East Asia demand for its products rises, is the first company in the Avon Group family to achieve ISO 50001 accreditation.
It forms part of the Avon Group's operational excellence programme, a group-wide initiative led by Group Operations Director Kevin Harrop.
The programme sets a common standard across all Avon sites, spanning 10 elements that combine internal standards, including the company's own Avon Way values and 6S standards, with external accreditations including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 50001. Sites must demonstrate compliance across all 10 elements to achieve full ‘operational excellence' certification.
“The Avon Group has a clear ambition to achieve world-class status in all nine of its factories,” Kevin said.
“And the rollout of our operational excellence programme alongside multi-million pound investment in new machinery will deliver benefits for our customers, improve factory efficiency, reduce energy consumption and support staff with new skills.”
