e2v wins gold for its bright green environmental credentials

e2v, the developer and manufacturer of specialised components and sub-systems has announced that it has scored a double win, a gold rating in the Business in the Community (BITC) Environmental Index and a reduction in its carbon footprint of 6%.
Business in the Community mobilises business for good. They are one of The Prince's Charities, and set out to inspire, engage, support and challenge member companies to improve their positive impact on society.

Environmental management has been an important part of e2v’s normal business for many years, with its first environmental targets traceable back to the 1970s. International focus on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, which affect the company, their local and wider communities, employees and their families, prompted the company to see how its approach to environmental management compared to other organisations. So, as part of their corporate responsibility initiatives, e2v began working with BITC in 2008, with the objective of measuring its environmental systems and impacts against BITC’s Environment Index standard.

In this first full year of analysis, actions taken have already reduced e2v’s carbon footprint by 6%, achieved through the direct efforts of employees and solely by improving systems, without any carbon offsetting.

Central to the success was an employee awareness programme called ‘Bright Green’. Employees are encouraged to get involved in reducing their environmental impact, both at work, through meeting monthly carbon footprint targets and at home by sharing ideas with family and friends. All employees are given a personal carbon footprint calculator to work out their home footprint, encouraging a holistic approach to environmental awareness.

Ian Shrives, e2v’s Health Safety and Environmental Manager led a global coordinating team. He commented: “This is an amazing result and a real testament to the work that everyone across our global locations has put in to reducing our environmental impact over many years.”

Amita Vaux of BITC said “I am not aware of another organisation that has made such a substantial jump in their performance. I give credit to e2v for the methodology that they have used, which we will commend to other organisations.”

Attached picture of Ian Shrives at e2v’s recycling centre

Press contact:
Andy Bennett Group Marketing Communications Manager
mail to:andy.bennett@e2v.com

NOTES FOR EDITORS

e2v

e2v’s objective is to be a global leader in the design and supply of specialised components and sub-systems that enable the world’s leading systems companies to deliver innovative solutions for medical and science, aerospace and defence, and commercial and industrial markets.

e2v has 4 major product groups:

• High performance electron devices and subsystems for applications including defence electronic countermeasures, radiotherapy cancer treatment, and radar systems
• Advanced Imaging sensors and cameras for applications including industrial process control, dental X-ray systems, space science and life sciences
• Specialist semiconductors, including logic, memory and microprocessors for high reliability mission-critical programs in avionics, defence and telecommunications, sensor data acquisition, and high speed data conversion
• A range of professional sensing products for applications including fire, rescue and security thermal imaging, X-ray spectroscopy, and military surveillance, targeting and guidance

For the year ended 31 March 2008, e2v achieved sales of £205m and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. In October 2008 e2v acquired QP semiconductor, a leading US-based designer and supplier of specialty semiconductor components used in military and aerospace applications, establishing e2v’s first US manufacturing base.

The Company is headquartered in the United Kingdom and has approximately 1800 employees in six production facilities across Europe and North America. e2v also operates a global network of sales and technical support offices, supported by local distributors and resellers.

Further information is available from www.e2v.com