Full Steam Ahead to a Lower Carbon Future

Substantial heating savings for Attwater & Sons Ltd

A long-established manufacturer based in Preston, Lancashire has benefitted from a Chamber Low Carbon grant. Attwater & Sons Ltd secured a grant which has resulted in substantial steam production savings, equivalent to 65.95 tonnes of CO₂e pa, with cost savings estimated to be over £6,000 pa. They were awarded £4,995 towards the installation of a new burner for heating and steam generation for production.

Established in 1868, Attwater & Sons Ltd is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial laminates, composite materials and machined components. The main industries they supply include aerospace, oil, gas and electrical distribution. They are the longest established manufacturer of industrial laminate in the UK. The current company Chairman is the fifth generation of the Attwater family that founded the business.

It was via North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce that they found out about the support available from the Chamber Low Carbon Programme. From the outset they knew it was a good idea that the burner and control system on their industrial boiler was replaced to improve overall energy efficiency for the company.

Pictured above (l to r) Attwater & Sons Financial Director, Martin Bate and Managing Director Andy Goode by the new burner unit on the boiler following the Chamber Low Carbon grant.

Martin Bate, Attwater & Sons Financial Director recalled how Darren Thomas from the Chamber Low Carbon Team was able to very quickly guide them through the grant process and explain what was possible and the information needed.

Subsequently they were able to secure a Chamber Low Carbon Grant for £4,995, the grant was used towards the installation of a new boiler for heating and steam generation for production. The grant received was for 30% of the overall total project cost.

For company Financial Director Martin Bate, the Chamber Low Carbon support was, “a very positive experience, particularly the assistance from the Chamber of Commerce and Darren from the Chamber Low Carbon team”. Martin went on to say, “We would absolutely recommend the Chamber Low Carbon programme support to other businesses.”

As a result, the new burner is more reliable, produces steam more efficiently and has added flexibility to both the production of steam for the manufacturing process and improved the way steam is delivered to the heating system. They have noticed that the factory is a much warmer place in the winter now that the burner is more efficient and has reduced their overall energy consumption. Following the changes their heating savings are equivalent to 65.95 tonnes of CO₂e pa, with cost savings estimated to be over £6,000 pa.

Darren Thomas, Chamber Low Carbon Programme Supply Chain Manager added: “Not only is reducing the firm’s carbon impact good for the planet, but also results in substantial cost savings from a more efficient boiler system.”

Chamber Low Carbon is a £6m European Union, European Regional Development Fund, part funded programme committed to the provision of a FREE suite of services aimed to help businesses improve energy and environmental efficiencies, introduce on site renewable energy generation and save money. East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and in partnership with North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Businesswise Solutions Ltd and BOOST are supporting Lancashire businesses in saving money and reducing their carbon footprint.