Dana Glacier Vandervell Bearings
www.glaciervandervell.com
www.vibes.org.uk
Kilmarnock based Dana Glacier Vandervell Bearings (DGVB) manufactures aluminium and bronze bimetallic materials for bearing components.
DGVB, which employs around 500 at its Kilmarnock site, won a national Vision in Business for the Environment (VIBES) award in December 2004 in the large company category. Through improved environmental measures the company has cut copper and lead emissions to air by more than 50 per cent, saving £43,000 in 2003 alone. The reduction in material usage produced further savings of £26,000 in 2003.
The closure plan of an oil fired powder plant on site reduced oil usage by 49% between 2002-2004. Lead emissions to water also decreased by 44% over this same period. Energy was reduced and material utilisation improved through revising and optimising working procedures.
DGVB has a specific environmental policy which is displayed on the intranet site and company website and also has a designated 'Environmental Champion'. Company representatives discuss and highlight the policy with their customers on a one-to-one basis. Furthermore, all suppliers are audited and complete an assessment of environmental matters.
Jim Dyet, Environmental and Safety Officer at DGVB commented: "We were thrilled that our efforts to be more competitive through environmental efficiency were recognised by VIBES in December 2004.
"VIBES is an excellent scheme that rewards companies which realise that implementing environmentally-friendly measures can and does save them money. I would definitely encourage other Scottish companies, whatever their size, to take part in VIBES this year."