ENGINEERING
Factory – EKGB employs 150 staff at its Redcar site and is marking 60 years in business .
Green is the new gold
How ElringKlinger is focusing on sustainability
Leadership – EKGB general manager Stephen Braithwaite . PICTURES : TOM BANKS
An iconic Redcar firm is marking 60 years in business on Teesside by supercharging its push towards sustainability .
ElringKlinger ( Great Britain ) – EKGB , for short – is part of the Germanheadquartered ElringKlinger AG . Employing just over 150 people , its Redcar plant supplies gaskets and shielding components to the automotive industry .
Manufacturing parts it supplies to the automotive industry , EKGB takes seriously its responsibilities for limiting the sector ’ s impact on the climate via emissions .
Aligned closely to its group sustainability policies , EKGB has implemented several measures that benefit all stakeholders .
Outlining the main reasons for this focus , Stephen Braithwaite , general manager at EKGB , says : “ ElringKlinger is starting to transform itself from being a company concentrating on components for internal combustion engine ( ICE ) parts to an organisation moving toward the manufacture of components and modules for electric vehicles ( EV ).
“ This transformation requires a lot of investment . To get this , we need to demonstrate to investors that we have sound policies on sustainability . Our customers are also making more demands on us to go in this direction .
“ Here at EKGB , probably the biggest symbol of our commitment to sustainability is the fact that in 2014 we made our own investment in a 500kW wind turbine . In 2023 , the turbine generated 1.2m kW / hrs of electricity . This purchase has proven to have been a shrewd decision considering recent rises in energy prices .”
Senior staff at EKGB are also in the process of determining whether to have solar panels ( PV ) fitted to the roof of the firm ’ s Redcar plant .
Stephen explains : “ The wind turbine is great during the months of October to March but as spring and summer take over , the power generated from it diminishes and we must purchase more electricity from the grid .
“ The fitting of the PV will help support the production of green energy in the spring and summer as well as supplementing the wind turbine in the autumn and winter months . Our plan is to be fully self-sufficient in our electricity requirements .”
EKGB has also made a significant investment in the installation of LED lighting systems throughout its office and shop floor areas . Again , this benefits the organisation through additional savings and employees through an improved working environment , as well as the supporting sustainability measures in the business .
The effective elimination of waste has been an important factor in the firm ’ s
Tidy work – EKGB staff collected 600kg of litter during a local clean up event . drive for sustainability . Stephen says : “ 85 per cent of our waste is recycled and the other 15 per cent is used to make fuel . These actions have led to us being certified as a carbon neutral company . Again , this is a positive indicator for potential new customers .”
In another part of the firm ’ s approach to sustainability , EKGB works closely with other organisations in the local area .
Stephen offers some examples , saying : “ We recently had a big changeover to new laptops for our staff .
“ Rather than disposing of the old lap tops , we were able to make them available to one of the local schools that we have worked with in the past . This , for me , was a great example of supporting children in our local area .”
EKGB also recently joined with the South Gare Litter Pickers as part of a project to develop future managers within the organisation .
“ We collected almost 600kg of litter from the area near the plant ,” says Stephen .
“ Our parent company offered to give € 10 for each kg of litter collected , meaning we got nearly € 6,000 for a charity supported by ElringKlinger .”
As all at EKGB celebrate the longevity of the business in its 60th year , Stephen explains : “ We have come a long way in terms of sustainability in our business in those 60 years .
“ The changes made to how we consider this have had a positive impact , not only on the environment and the value that we can add to our business , but also the general improved working conditions for our staff .
“ This demonstrates that a focus on sustainability benefits all stakeholders . It really is a win-win situation .”
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