Materials handling equipment supplier Barloworld Handling has gained its first ISO 14001 certificate at its facility in Cumbernauld, Scotland, and re-pledged its continued commitment to the environment. ISO 14001 is an international standard that specifies a process for controlling and improving a company's environmental performance.

"I am delighted to announce that we have been awarded with this environmental certificate" says Graham Lennon, HS&E Manager from Barloworld Handling. During the ISO 14001 roll out process, Barloworld Handling introduced several new initiatives to improve its environmental performance, including working with its waste contractor to introduce DMR (Dry Mixed Recycling) to the business.
"One of our main objectives is to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. Within two months, our Cumbernauld facility has seen the waste sent to landfill reduced by half and significantly increased the DMR" explains Graham. Barloworld operates a workshop, parts operation, short term hire depot, offices and a driver training facility in Cumbernauld.

Barloworld Handling is the UK distribution partner for Hyster and maintains more than 25,000 forklifts nationwide through 500 mobile technicians and 17 customer support centres. The company is rolling out the ISO 14001 environmental management systems across all its sites, with Warrington having its BSI stage 2 assessments at the end of August 2011.

The next location for Barloworld's ISO 14001 implementation is in Abingdon followed by West Bromwich and other locations across the UK.
Barloworld's environmental performance culture is reflected in the extensive training it provides to its engineers. The company ensures strict adherence to 'duty of care' processes for proper waste management on customer sites including the appropriate disposal of used tyres, batteries and other hazardous materials from forklift trucks. The company has also invested in new technology to help reduce its carbon footprint with changes made to its fleet of service vehicles equivalent to reducing fuel consumption by 18%.

Barloworld is also committed to helping its customers to reduce the environmental impact of their materials handling and logistics operations. Through its manufacturing partner Hyster, the company offers amongst the most energy efficient engine and electric forklifts on the market today and when combined with Barloworld's fleet management, tyre management and battery management services customers can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and improve efficiency.

"Barloworld can clearly demonstrate environmental responsibility in both product and service offering, making us a strong partner for businesses of all sizes" Graham adds, explaining that the company is committed to continuous improvement with Six Sigma continuous improvement techniques also firmly part of the company culture.