Sunbury on Thames, 11 October 2011 - Chubb Fire & Security announced that its manufacturing facility in Manchester has achieved an 84% reduction in emission of volatile organic compounds commonly found in paint solvents. Additionally, Chubb’s national distribution centre has furthered its environmental credentials with ISO 14001 (International Environmental Standard) accreditation. Chubb is part of UTC Fire & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Manchester manufacturing facility plays an important role in the extinguisher supply chain through its recycling and renovation process. The outstanding reduction in emissions came about from the manufacturing team working with paint manufacturers, explains Simon Kendrick, supply chain director: “We have changed over to a water-based paint and lacquer, which provide an equally good cosmetic and durable finish for the renovated extinguishers but importantly it means that we have been able to reduce emissions to the atmosphere by a remarkable 84%.”
The team has another reason to celebrate after becoming one of the first UK Fire Extinguisher renovation facilities to gain UKAS TPED approval for renovation of CO2 cylinders. With this achievement, coupled with the recent approval to re-mark MoD products with the ‘CE’ mark, the site is well positioned to meet customers’ demanding quality requirements.
The facility re-manufactures over 150,000 fire extinguishers every year, providing service exchange stock to both Chubb and trade customers. “Used extinguishers are returned from customers via the Hams Hall distribution centre,” explains Kendrick, “and suitable cylinders are selected to be stripped of all paint, pressure tested, re-painted and then re-filled. We have vast experience in renovating many types of customer equipment – from trolley units and large cylinders, to standard CO2 and powder portables.”
Chubb also announced that the Hams Hall distribution centre has achieved ISO 14001, the International Organization for Standarization’s environmental standard. This accreditation demonstrates Chubb’s commitment to improving environmental management and performance, conforming with international standards, and reducing consumption of energy and natural resources.
Chubb is a business of UTC Fire & Security, a company that provides fire safety and security solutions to more than 1 million customers worldwide. Headquartered in Connecticut, UTC Fire & Security is a unit of United Technologies Corp., which provides high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries worldwide. More information about Chubb and UTC Fire & Security can be found on their Web sites at
www.utcfireandsecurity.com and
www.chubb.co.uk.
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