Going green prove a sound investment for Canford

A leading manufacturer of audio-visual equipment is proving that sustainability is a sound investment, thanks to its efforts to slash its carbon footprint.

Canford Audio has invested heavily over recent years into future-proofing its 4,000 sq. metre Washington headquarters and offsetting its carbon emissions.

Environmental issues have always been a key consideration for the company. One of its earliest services - in the 1970s - was to collect, restore, reload and recycle damaged audio cartridges that had been used to distribute radio commercials and adverts - an early adopter of recycling.

It has always remained at the forefront of what the firm does and it has now reimagined how it packages products, using non-virgin plastics which are 100% recyclable, as well as embracing plastic alternatives such as potato starch-based bioplastics.

New eco-friendly PIR LED lighting and ongoing work to cover its roof in PV solar panels will also see the company slash emissions at its 1960s-built factory and head office, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Alan Wilson, CEO at Canford Audio, said: "Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Despite sending products all over the world, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint as much as possible.

"Several years ago, we invested heavily in developing a fibre termination service. As well as being able to transmit much larger amounts of data, in a much quicker time, fibre cabling doesn't need replacing anywhere near as often as traditional copper cabling, which over time is helping to reduce the amount of copper cabling sent to landfill. We are encouraging customers to adopt fibre wherever possible."

In 2019, Canford was transferred to an Employee Owned Trust (EOT). Since then, the team have really stepped up their sustainability efforts.

"Everyone at Canford is incredibly passionate about reducing our carbon footprint," added Alan. "So much so that the board and I decided to set up an internal committee to ensure our eco efforts are at the forefront of everything we do."

Dubbed the Green Group, the committee is chaired by HSE & Site Services Manager Karl Thoroughgood.

He said: "Our Green Group brings together members from around the business to discuss, and action, eco-friendly initiatives that can help to reduce our impact on the planet.

"The team meets once per month, and it has been fantastic seeing them take real ownership over our carbon agenda. We are committed to sustainable business practices and are set to invest significant amounts of money into building on this success over the next few years.

"The Green Group has real aspirations to expand the size and scope of the operation and will be recruiting other members from around the business in the near future as we look to become a more sustainable business in almost every sense of the word."

The company is now accelerating its net zero drive with the development of a new wildlife garden, embracing greener forms of manufacturing, investigating in new water storage harvesting systems, improved insulation and more efficient heating systems, as well as being an early adopter of lead-free soldering which has been in place since 2003.

Canford is one of a number of businesses helping Sunderland City Council achieve its carbon neutral city ambitions.

The authority launched its Low Carbon Framework in 2021 to bring together businesses and public sector organisations to share best practice and help the city become carbon neutral by 2040.

Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "Canford's incredible ingenuity, not just when it comes to innovating but also pioneering new, greener ways of doing business, is incredibly commendable.

"We designed our Low Carbon Framework to help the city come together and make Sunderland carbon neutral by 2040 and it is fantastic to see employers like Canford helping us to realise those ambitions.

"They are a real credit to the city."

For more information on Sunderland's low carbon framework, visit: https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/article/18247/Sunderland-Low-Carbon-Framework