85% of manufacturers see environmental improvement as key to future
November 27th 2008

Following a survey of UK manufacturers by a MAS South East environmental event, 85% of respondents are positive about the state of the UK market and confident that by assessing their environmental impact, can improve their market position.

Respondents were positive overall in their outlook with 75% seeing growth in orders. Most believe that environmental improvements are important for future growth and are predicting full order books in the coming months. Concerns around increased commodity prices, higher energy costs and increased requirements for environmental compliance are also cited as reasons for prioritising environmental improvements by manufacturers.

The survey sought to assess the state of environmental action planning by manufacturers in the South East. More than 70% of respondents have a plan in place or in development, looking at ways to improve their environmental impacts and carbon footprint. More than 60% of respondents reported activity to reduce packaging and transport impacts by sourcing local suppliers, and are adopting the '3Rs', Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

In addition, half of the manufacturers surveyed are focusing their efforts on sourcing renewable raw materials and using cleaner manufacturing processes. All respondents agreed that corporate social responsibility (CSR) is important to them in running their business and is a key point of differentiation for them.

As part of their approach to improving environmental issues in their companies, 70% of respondents either operate an Environmental Management System (EMS) or are planning one. One of the reasons given by 66% of respondents is that there is an increasing requirement by customers or supply chain partners to report environmental performance.

Another reason is new environmental legislation that requires compliance by manufacturers and today, 30% of respondents are not up to speed on some areas of legislation and what it means for their business. Areas of concern include: understanding compliance on waste and how to accurately measure carbon footprint.

David Caddle, principal specialist with the MAS South East commented: "Despite concerns about a number of environmental issues against a complex backdrop of compliance, customer expectations and increasing energy costs, the manufacturing community is committed to improving their impact on the environment. Our aim at MAS is to support these companies and help them to realise real, measurable improvements in their businesses, whatever legislation or market conditions they face, now and in the future."

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