Ultra Electronics is awarded prestigious ISO 14001 Environmental Accreditation

(January 26th 2007)

Ultra Electronics based on the Granby Estate, which is well known for its internationally successful Magicard ID card printer products and its high technology electronic manufacturing, has become one of the first companies in the area to achieve accreditation to the prestigious ISO14001 environmental standard.

The International Standards Organisation 14001 standard is aimed at introducing a continuous improvement process into organisations to drive reductions in their negative impact on the environment caused by energy usage and the generation of waste.

To achieve accreditation Ultra had to demonstrate to the assessors that a comprehensive Environmental Management System was in place and that all staff have been given awareness training so that they can minimize the company's environmental footprint.

Ray Coles, Ultra's Managing Director stated: "Gaining this accreditation was tougher than we expected, but by working with our BSI assessors we quickly raised our game so that our final assessment in November 2006 generated no corrective actions. We are pleased that we are now gradually reducing our negative impact on the environment through savings in energy usage, increases in our recycling, and the elimination of all hazardous substances such as lead from our products."

Ray continued "There is always a worry, for any company, that activities of this sort end up on the debit side of the balance sheet as just another onerous obligation. In fact, ISO14001 will generate significant cost savings over time, as well as reducing our environmental impact. This is a win-win for both Ultra and the planet!"

Recently Ultra sponsored an assessment of their facility by the Carbon Trust which should lead to further reductions in energy usage.