Kingspan

 

Kingspan Insulated Panels have established themselves as the leading manufacturer and supplier of insulated roof, wall and façade systems across the globe.

 

Wind Direct are proposing to develop two wind turbines at Kingspan’s Holywell site, which would add to the company’s current portfolio of energy saving and environmentally sustainable activities. This includes a commitment to running all their UK and Irish Panel manufacturing plants using renewable energy and innovative sustainable building designs such as the Energi Centre at Holywell.

 

The Holywell site is a key part of the Kingspan business, requiring large volumes of electricity to power the manufacturing plant. This green initiative will not only benefit the environment by reducing their carbon footprint, it will also bring price stability and security to a large consumer of electricity and major employer in the area.

 

Kingspan Insulated Panels has always been an important part of the community in which they operate and take their responsibilities towards that community very seriously.  The company also considers itself an important part of the economic wellbeing of the area, both as a major employer, directly employing around 350 staff, and through local sourcing of goods and services such as haulage, catering and office supplies.  

 

The continuing strength of the company relies on its ability to adapt to market demands, develop new products and processes and improve operating efficiency.  Its credentials as a forward looking, ‘green’ company have helped it to maintain market share, as more and more big customers require their suppliers to prove their environmental responsibility, and it is essential that Kingspan Insulated Panels continues to lead the way in this area in the face of increasing competition.

 

The addition of the wind turbines to provide a source of renewable energy would help to secure the above benefits in the long term by:

 

• Helping to reduce Kingspan’s carbon footprint

• Maintaining green credentials with major existing customers and attracting new ones

• Increasing energy security 

• Reducing Kingspan’s energy costs

 

The following are examples of initiatives that Kingspan support within the community;

 

Supporting charities

In 2014 Kingspan supported a number of local initiatives including the Holywell Walkers are Welcome’s Walking Challenge on Sunday May 25th 2014. The Challenge provided the opportunity for walkers to complete a 30km, 20km or 10km walk. Proceeds from the event were given to St Kentigern Hospice.

 

Supporting education

Kingspan has made a significant contribution to local schools and the environment with its staff volunteering activities.  Kingspan held their first major volunteering event in June 2011 when, in partnership with UPM they created a forest school and raised beds at St Mary’s school in Flint.  This first event led to a further 2 events in 2012 at St Winnefride’s, Holywell and Greenfield Primary school performed exclusively by Kingspan volunteers.  

 

In 2013 a team from Kingspan created a forest school (including a bird hide, nest boxes and a wormery for recycling waste), raised beds, reclaimed boats for seats and many other improvements at Glan Aber Primary School in Boot End, Holywell.   Over 40 Kingspan employees were involved.  In the past 3 years Kingspan estimate that over 80 employees have been involved in community volunteering projects (many more than once).

 

In June 2014 the team of 40 created an exciting new space for children to play and learn in at Ysgol Merllyn, Bagillt. They added a forest school, water play area, stepping logs and balance beams; set up new learning zones including a giant moveable clock on the walls, noughts and crosses set and height charts; constructed raised planters and installed new seating areas.  The refurbishment also included tidying up the existing gardens, painting and repairing fencing and giving a giant Welsh dragon made from reclaimed tyres pride of place in the playground.

 

Supporting local community groups

Kingspan are currently supporting a local community group that is planning to convert the old gatehouse at Greenfield Dock into a community facility.

In 2013 Kingspan supported local schools by sponsoring parties of children from 4 schools to visit DangerPoint.  This is a great educational resource for the children and supports the continued success of DangerPoint which we believe provides an excellent educational resource for the area.

 

Kingspan had a visit from a group of teachers from Connah’s Quay Secondary School to talk about what we do and career opportunities for their students.

Kingspan has been a long term supporter of the Greenfield Dock and Wales Costal Path improvements.   We work closely with Flintshire Countryside Services and sponsor one of their coastal rangers and one of their vehicles.

 

In 2013 Kingspan sponsored the construction of a viewpoint on the estuary along with an interpretation panel to help educate walkers about the local fauna and flora.

Kingspan has supported the development of the coastal path adjacent to their factory with financial contributions.  

 

Supporting the local economy

Kingspan engages local sourcing of goods and services such as haulage, catering and office supplies wherever possible. The investment of £700,000 in 2013/14 into energy efficiency improvements on their site has provided work for local companies.

Kingspans involvement with Greenfield dock and the coastal path project is partly aimed at boosting tourism in the area.  The improvement to this local amenity is nothing less than a transformation and must be helping bring more people to the area.

 

Supporting the local environment

Kingspan play an important role in supporting the local environment having recognised their responsibilities in protecting it.

 

Kingspan take their carbon dioxide emissions reduction programme very seriously.  Kingspan can demonstrate their success by being awarded the Carbon Trust Standard in 2012, this is independent verification that Kingspans emissions have reduced year on year for the previous 3 years. The latest audit took place in early 2014 and Kingspan were again awarded this prestigious accolade.  Kingspan are the only company achieving this award in their market sector.

 

Kingspan have a corporate target to make their manufacturing sites net zero energy by 2020 with an interim target of achieving 50% by 2016.  In other words the plan is that all Kingspans energy will come from renewable sources.  Kingspan currently have a large PV array generating 314,000kWh/a, a small scale wind turbine and a solar thermal system.  The wind turbine project to generate electricity is the cornerstone of their plans to achieve net zero energy.  Kingspan are also looking at biomass heat generation to replace the gas consumption.

 

Kingspan’s waste and environmental plan for improvement is supported by their environmental teams and the international standards that they meet. Kingspan are accredited to the international standards of ISO14001 for environmental management and their plans include continuous improvement for more sustainable future.

In early 2014 Kingspan were successful in implementing the ISO 50001 energy management standard at Holywell.  This provides a formal management system framework for improved energy management and will help facilitate a reduction in energy demand on site.  Kingspan is committed to making Holywell a net-zero energy site by 2020.

 

The reduction and stabilisation of Kingspan’s energy bills will not only directly benefit Kingspan but will also benefit the local community through the ongoing support and investment Kingspan are able to provide.