Sustainability is increasingly becoming a priority in the automotive industry, as companies seek to address their environmental impact and respond to regulatory pressures. Establishing Environmental Committees allow organizations to systematically evaluate their operations, from individual contributions to manufacturing processes. Collaborating with ISO 14001 accredited suppliers is essential for enhancing supply chain sustainability and minimizing packaging waste. Companies are also consolidating shipments to reduce their carbon footprint and complying with evolving environmental regulations, such as EU packaging laws and CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) reports.
Transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar power, is crucial for manufacturers aiming for long-term sustainability goals, including fossil-fuel-free production. The focus on energy-efficient product design is also gaining traction, as companies respond to increasing customer demand for eco-friendly solutions.
To gain further insights, we spoke with Iain Cameron, the marketing director at Meech. Meech specializes in manufacturing products designed for static control and surface cleaning, helping to prevent contamination and associated risks in industrial processes. With manufacturing facilities in the UK and the US, Meech supplies equipment to automotive original equipment manufacturers, as well as tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers across 50 countries. The company also has offices in Belgium, Hungary, Singapore, India and mainland China, enabling it to directly and indirectly collaborate with some of the largest automotive and electric vehicle battery brands globally.
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Key takeaways:
- Establishing an Environmental Committee enables companies to systematically assess and address their environmental impact across various operational aspects, including individual contributions and manufacturing processes.
- Collaborating with ISO 14001 accredited suppliers and prioritizing sustainable materials can enhance a company's supply chain sustainability and reduce packaging waste through innovative solutions.
- Consolidating shipments and adhering to evolving environmental regulations, such as EU packaging laws and CBAM reports, are essential strategies for minimizing the environmental footprint of global operations.
- Transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar power, and focusing on energy-efficient product design are critical steps for companies aiming to achieve long-term sustainability goals, including fossil-fuel-free production.
The following is an edited transcript of the conversation.
S&P Global Mobility: How does Meech assess the environmental impact of its manufacturing, and what metrics are used to measure sustainability performance in its recent initiatives?
Iain Cameron: Meech has established an Environmental Committee to evaluate the company's environmental impact, focusing on individual contributions, manufacturing processes, and the influence of our buildings and infrastructure. The committee takes a broad approach rather than just looking at manufacturing output. To support this, we have developed an Environmental Policy that sets clear goals for energy conservation, waste management, resource management, sustainability and environmental awareness. Additionally, a continuous improvement plan has been implemented to reduce waste and improve the efficiency of materials, energy and resources. The committee is tasked with monitoring and reporting on the actions taken and the progress made in these areas.
What specific actions has Meech taken in the past year to promote sustainability throughout its supply chain, particularly in sourcing eco-friendly materials?
We prioritize working with suppliers that have ISO 14001 accreditation and assess the materials in our products to partner with environmentally responsible suppliers. For instance, one of our aluminum suppliers uses 77.83% recycled content. We have also invested in an automated stocking machine to minimize packaging waste. Our next goal is to reduce plastic in our supply chain and switch to recyclable cardboard. We will also conduct regular visits to long-term suppliers to review raw materials and how products are moved.
The majority of Meech manufacturing is exported around the world, with that in mind, what steps does Meech take to reduce its environmental impact?
We consolidate shipments whenever we can, coordinating deliveries to our offices in the US, mainland China and Europe. We comply with new laws and standards, including recent changes to EU packaging regulations and CBAM reports. We also review our shipping methods to find more environmentally friendly options.
What long-term sustainability goals has Meech set regarding fossil-fuel-free production and how do you plan to achieve these while maintaining competitiveness?
Our solar panels are generating enough energy to cut fossil fuel consumption by 50%. We are looking into installing a battery to store any excess energy. Next, we will install solar panels on our second building, which houses our commercial, accounts and engineering teams. After that, we plan to move toward fossil-fuel-free production.
Can you detail the research and development challenges Meech faced in creating products where the environmental impact is considered?
In our product design and development, we focus on environmental impact, including materials, packaging and the product's effects after installation. Our product management and engineering teams take these factors into account before starting any projects. We design many products for energy efficiency, such as our compressed air products that reduce usage and our IonRinse that cuts down on industrial water consumption. We are also receiving more customer requests for energy-efficient products, prompting us to look at how we can better address these needs.
