In a special presentation ceremony at Ecobuild 2009, Richard Hill, Managing Director of drainage and water management specialist, ACO Technologies, received the company’s ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems accreditation certificate from the Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP, Deputy Chairman of the Construction Industry Council and Vice President of the Town and County Planning Association. Also attending the event on ACO’s stand were Michael Ankers, Chairman of the Construction Products Association, and Gary Fenton, Operations Director of the British Standards Institution.
The presentation was staged both to recognise the contribution that the Shefford-based manufacturer has made in developing products that pioneer new materials and production methods which benefit the environment and to highlight the significant advantages leading organisations like ACO can gain from adopting an active environmental management system.
“The process of learning how to conduct ourselves in a more environmentally friendly manner has help us discover new efficiencies in manufacturing and in our way of working,” said Richard Hill on receiving the award. “Everyone across the organisation has been challenged to consider how they approach their tasks within the company’s developing environmental framework. The result has been a new level of creative thinking, a greater sense of shared responsibility and a closer, more open relationship with our suppliers and customers.
“In attaining the complete roster of BS EN ISO standards: 9001/14001/18001, ACO has evolved as an organisation and developed a new dynamic that will ensure we maintain our focus on the construction industry’s growing need for environmentally aware partners and products.”
For the first time at Ecobuild, ACO showed its new range of Water Management Solutions. Developed to allow complete control of the removal and return of surface water to the natural environment, the solutions embrace a range of new and award winning products; next generation recycled materials and support services that will assist designers and constructors meet the tightening ecological demands of water management specifications.
Amongst the products on show were the new ACO StormTank storm water infiltration and attenuation system and the versatile, high capacity line drainage system ACO Qmax. There was also a special display dedicated to ACO’s fully certified highway drainage products manufactured from Vienite – ACO’s new high strength, recycled material.