Green Manufacturer sets out ambitions to crack Europe
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A SHEFFIELD-based manufacturer is set for significant growth after redeveloping one of its products manufactured to be entirely recycled. Buzz Plastics is forecasting an increase in turnover of £600,000 over the next two years after it redeveloped its product ‘The Buzz Board’, which is a cover used predominantly in the construction and utilities industries to provide pedestrian access over trenches. Buzz Plastics has upgraded the existing design of board to increase its load-carrying capability to comply with current legislation, and meet the National Grid specification. The patented design is the only cover to be manufactured in a way that makes it 100% recyclable, allowing customers to meet their sustainability requirements. Buzz Plastic’s key objective is to achieve preferred supplier status amongst major UK construction companies within two years, with progression to Europe by year three. The redevelopment of the product was only made possible with a £25,000 grant from CO2Sense’s Resource Efficiency Yorkshire (REY) programme, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The total cost of the project was £75,000, with the balance being met the company’s directors. Five new jobs will be created over the next three years as a result of this investment. The adapted Buzz Board has been strengthened using a removable steel sub-frame. An illuminated version of the board, incorporating ‘Buzz Night Caps’ has also been introduced that offers additional safety by lighting up areas where pedestrians should be walking over the trench at night. Marc Sharples, sales director and co-owner at Buzz Plastics, says “Having spent 29 years in the recycling industry, I am excited about being a part of a business with such a unique product. Our ability to produce such an innovative product from recycled and recyclable materials completes the sustainability ethos that the company strives to promote. “The recyclable element of the design is unique feature as all other existing products in the market place are manufactured in a way that makes disposal to landfill the only option. “We are also offering a closed loop scheme for our customers, where we will take in their waste pipe in exchange for Buzz Boards free of charge”. CO2Sense’s REY programme was established in 2009 to help SMEs in Yorkshire & Humber cut carbon emissions and grow their business through resource efficiency. Over the past four years, REY has supported 470 businesses in either the form of a grant or a free two-day resource efficiency review. The programme has directly resulted in 63 being new jobs created, with a further 32 jobs expected by the end of 2013; and 5 new businesses being created, with a further 8 predicted by the end of 2013. To see more examples of businesses who have benefitted from implementing resource efficiency please click here. More articles in
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