OPINION OCTOBER 2020
A green embrace
BY PAUL McFADYEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, METALS4U
In recent years, sustainability and
environmentalism have become more
important than ever for both individuals
and businesses, as well as society
as a whole. Heavy industry in particular
faces a challenge of becoming greener
and overcoming the traditional stigma of
manufacturing, due to its responsibility for
pollution and damage to the environment.
For manufacturers, transitioning to ecofriendly
practices poses more pros than cons.
For example, sustainably sourced materials
and renewable energy allow businesses to cut
down on expenditure through minimising
waste and improving energy efficiency.
Consumer-facing manufacturers that can
present their company as environmentally
conscious makes for good PR, as the public
is more aware than ever of what impact
businesses have on the environment, and
are likely to either reward or punish a
company through their custom depending
on its behaviour.
Making the transition can seem like a
daunting prospect, but the good news is
that even small changes can have a positive
impact, whilst larger changes requiring short
term investment will bring about more
significant potential benefits down the road.
All manufacturers, regardless of size, can
begin by assessing energy usage. Conducting
an energy audit will reveal how efficient or
inefficient an operation is and will help you
to plan your next steps.
Increasing energy efficiency through
actions such as improving building insulation
and switching to energy-efficient LED
light bulbs will allow you to cut down on
energy usage, helping to reduce your carbon
footprint and cut down on expenditure at the
same time. You can also consider switching
to a renewable energy provider to further
reduce your carbon footprint.
Another simple step is to cut down on
waste and to ensure that all material that can
be recycled is so. This can be reinforced by
partnering with sustainable suppliers and
only using recycled materials where possible
across the operation.
Other changes, however, will require
more upfront investment into upgrades to
infrastructure. Manufacturing is by definition
an industry that consumes a significant
amount of energy through its usage of heavy
machinery. Older machines are often far
less efficient than newer alternatives and are
much more expensive to run, due to their
need for frequent maintenance and higher
energy consumption.
Upgrading aging machinery can
however require significant investment,
which may put many businesses off. This
is especially true in the current climate.
Despite these challenging times, investment
in infrastructure is a good way to plan for
the future and will allow businesses to cut
back on unnecessary expenditure due to
inefficiency, saving money in the long run.
Similarly, automation is another
investment opportunity that manufacturers
can look to capitalise on. Many businesses
have overlooked automation, as small
companies in particular may not believe
that they are large enough to require the
investment, but manufacturers of all sizes
can benefit from smart technology.
Automation in manufacturing is not just
giant robotic production lines, but thanks
to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT),
it can be used to monitor and control all
aspects of the manufacturing process. This
means that everything from procurement
of the right amount of resources, to the
allocation of materials and manpower to
different assignments, can be controlled
through the IIoT, helping to save time and
money, as well as cutting down on waste.
Smart technology can also monitor the
workspace and machinery for unnecessary
energy usage. Sensors fitted around the
office, contained within new machinery, or
retrofitted to existing machines, can be used
to keep track of energy consumption, which
can then be easily controlled or adjusted.
Given the experiences of 2020 so far,
businesses may feel averse to significant
investment towards becoming more
environmentally friendly, but with further
disruption on the horizon thanks to
the potential future lockdowns and the
uncertainty of Brexit, the industry might
not return to normal in the near future.
The good news is that businesses can,
and should, make gradual changes to make
them more environmentally friendly, as well
as cutting down on waste and unnecessary
expenditure through inefficiency.
Are you keeping sustainability front and centre of your post-COVID recovery? Take part in
MM’s latest survey with Inenco to share your thoughts. Answer now at https://bit.ly/2GlLn8Y.
10 www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk
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Manufacturers must continue the transition to eco-friendly
operations, and harness the available technology and support
Investment in infrastructure
is a good way to plan ahead”
/2GlLn8Y
/www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk
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