Fenner Precision Polymers has retired the landmark chimney at its Lincoln site after a lot more than 100 years’ carrying out a £650,000 purchase of green technology.
The firm, which manufacturers a wide array of silicone and rubber products for engineering customers worldwide through its brands James Dawson and Fenner Precision, has called time on the famous 105-year-old smoke stack, replacing its ageing coal-fired boiler with the energy-efficient gas alternative.
It’s the most recent in a very few sustainable upgrades at the site on Tritton Road, where electric vehicle charging points have been installed for staff as well as lighting continues to be replaced with power-saving LEDs.
Together, the improvements, which be more pricey than half a million pounds, will cut the company’s annual energy bills by over £160,000 each year.
Paul Edwards, managing director of James Dawson, said: “As Lincoln’s second biggest private employer, you want to do our bit to make the city a greater home for our workforce as well as wider public. This investment is usually a notable and visible reduction in our environmental impact, all of which will ensure every product we make combines the hottest innovation with sustainability.
“Many of our manufacturing processes are steam-powered. By replacing our old, inefficient boiler because of this a different one we can actually produce more steam from less energy. It’s a large expense only one that would quickly finance itself in efficiency and price savings.
“Our chimney in to a local landmark that’s served our company in excess of many years. Now decommissioned, it will likely be preserved as the tribute on the city’s industrial heritage.”
The company has been around in business since 1896. Today its advanced silicone and rubber industrial hoses and belts power sets from cash machines towards the largest offshore wind turbines and earth moving machinery, with over one half of all products sold for export.
With a workforce more than 300-strong, it given back £30m in 2009 and was recently awarded the latest ISO 14001:2015 status for environmental management.
The now retired chimney was built-in 1913, just through the road where William Foster & Co later produced the world’s first tank. Recently since, the vicinity has long been transformed from heavy industry to retail, residential and, famously, an increasing university campus.
Fenner now neighbours the £7m Lincoln Boole Technology Centre additionally, the upcoming £150m St Marks redevelopment.
