Environmental investments paying off for Telford-based SME

A leading steel fabrication company is looking ahead to 2025 with confidence as key investments at its Telford base start to pay off.

Fabweld Steel Products is a market leader in the design and manufacture of standard and bespoke steel access covers, and it is bidding to become one of the UK’s greenest supply chain partners in the sector.

The company uses vast amounts of energy and nitrogen for its laser-powered steel cutting processes, but two significant investments during 2024 have helped reduce costs and support growth of the business.

Investing in a machine to generate nitrogen on site and an upgraded laser has made a significant contribution to the firm’s success.

Managing director Wayne Carter said: “Before we invested in the nitrogen generator, it took about 40 lorry journeys from Oxford each year to keep us supplied with the gas we need.

“Generating our own nitrogen, using electricity generated by our onsite solar PV system, has been a win-win – fewer lorry journeys and a big reduction in our electricity bills, both of which play a huge part in our journey to Net Zero.

“Replacing our old laser with an upgraded 15kW Accurl Fibre Laser in October has greatly increased our production capacity and capability, it is a realistic aim that we will increase sales by 75 per cent within the next five years.

“We won’t be stopping there though, and any opportunity we identify to improve our environmental credentials while also boosting production and sales will be investigated.”

The company has developed a Net Zero road map to look at current operations and develop strategies to reduce energy consumption, increase the use of renewable energy further, cut emissions, improve employee engagement and consider waste management.

Wayne added: “The November Budget, with its emphasis on investment in skills and training, was a big step in the right direction for businesses, but we also need support to introduce the green technologies that are already being used to good effect in China and Europe.

“As a country, we must be forward looking. We can’t afford to keep doing the same things over and over – we see the devastating effects of climate change every day on the news, with previously “safe” areas all over the world suffering horrific floods, drought and biodiversity loss.

“The improvements we at FSP have made might seem small when you look at the bigger picture, but they are achievable and have made a tangible difference to our costs and potential for growth, as well as our carbon footprint. If all businesses made just a few small changes, the overall impact would be huge.

“These changes need an initial capital outlay though, so it would be good to see even more support offered to businesses wanting to improve their own environmental challenges.

“Looking ahead, we are also planning what our recruitment needs will be on the back of our growth plans. I am very proud that a significant number of our employees – including me – started their careers as apprentices, and we will continue to use apprenticeship schemes to make sure we nurture the local talent we will need in the future.”

For more information about Fabweld Steel Products, visit www.fsp.co.uk/