The number of companies with ISO14001 certificates is continuing to grow globally.  In the UK alone over 15,000 UKAS certificates have been awarded.

http://www.environmentalistonline.com/article/2012-12-12/iso-14001-certifications-reach-new-high

If you're looking to improve your buisness and potentially reach a wider audiance speak to us at rda to see how we can help implement the requirements of the standard into your business.

Now is a very good time to look at improvements within your company to reduce costs and improve efficiency.  The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) still has plently of grant money available to help you improve your businesses. 

We are approved MAS associates and can help you deliver your project. 

Have a look on the MAS website for suggested projects -

www.mymas.org/resources/grants-funding

Call us today to see how we can help you 

Our nominated charities this year are –

Water Aid, a charity which we’ve supported for many years.  They provide 27 of the world’s poorest counties with safe drinking water, something we all take for granted.

http://www.wateraid.org/uk/

Cancer Research UK, a charity close to our hearts.  Most of us will be touched by cancer at some point in our lives.  Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research.  Thanks to their ground breaking work more people than ever are beating cancer.

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/home/

As another year ends we'd like to wish our exisiting and new clients a merry Christmas and happy new year,

We're now closed for the Christmas period and will be reopening bright and ready to go on Wednesday 2nd January.

Update....Faith did it!  

An amazing time of 13 hours 45 minutes worth of tremendous hard work.  Just goes to show what the mind and body can do through sheer determination...

Faith Foote is about to commence her biggest challenge to date – the “Big Woody” ironman competition this weekend (25^th August 2012) in Ross on Wye.

www.k226.com/events/eventitem.aspx?id=42

Considering Faith only took up triathlons 3 years ago this is an unbelievable achievement! 

Swim 3.8km

Bike 180km

Run 42.2km.......???!!!!

She’s put in hours and hours of training in preparation and has taken over her life, so please show your support – drop Faith a line of encouragement – faith@rdaconsultancy.com

Limited funding is still available for Dorset based companies to have their compressed air systems surveyed for leaks through the Dorset Chamber of Commerce.

Over the last year or so we have helped companies reduce electricity costs by detecting leaks, often not heard by the human ear.

This month alone we identified 59 separate leaks in one company, which will cost them around £19,000 per year in wasted energy.

Even if you are unable to secure the funding (some geographical areas within Dorset have exhausted existing funding) we can still carry out a survey for a small fee.

Please email Trevor for further details and to discuss eligibility – trevor@rdaconsultancy.com

Funding is still available for companies looking to improve their environmental performance by implementing an environmental management system (EMS), certified against ISO14001.

40% funding is available through the IYRE project in Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset, but the funding pot is limited in 2012 so act now to ensure you benefit.

More than 8500 ISO14001 certificates have been awarded to companies in the UK, so ensure your company is not left behind.

We have been successfully working with companies to implement EMSs for 10 years now, so are able to offer practical advice on how to get the most out of your system and ensure it is not just a folder which sits on a shelf.

Contact us today and we’ll be happy to talk you through the process and help you access the IYRE funding.

We are proud to announce that we have successfully guided Armstrong Integrated Ltd through the prestigious BuildingConfidence accreditation, via Achilles.

BuildingConfidence is a supplier pre-qualification and accreditation service for the UK construction industry. The accreditation reduces the need to pre-qualify for multiple clients and projects, as potential customers will be able to use the Achilles website to see how accredited companies scored during their annual audit, against nearly 500 questions relating to our Quality, Environmental, Health and Safety performance.

This accreditation has been designed for the construction industry by the construction industry to try and ensure there is a level playing field and that work is only awarded to the highest performing and most suitable contractors.

Over the last six months we have been working as a team at Halesowen preparing for the audit. 

We have supported Armstrong Integrated have been a client since 1998, providing Quality, Environmental and Health & Safety support.

To help reduce energy consumption Dorset companies can apply for a free compressor air leak check via DCCI (although membership is not necessary).

For an application click on the link below.

This could be used to demonstrate continual improvement within your ISO14001 Environmental Management System programme...

http://www.dcci.co.uk/news-and-media/chamber-news/manufacturer-s-take-note-control-your-compressors

Limited funding is available, so don't delay!

There is still limited funding available for Dorset based companies to improve their environmental performance.

Several of our exisiting clients have benefitted from funding which has helped them implement ISO14001 (EMS - Environmental Management Systems) and also to reduce energy costs through upgrading lighting, boilers etc.

To find out if you are able to benefit from this funding contact us and we will help guide you through the process. But hurry, this year's deadline is 31 March 2012....

Once again our team we will be supporting the Poole Lion’s Club by taking part in the swimarathon on Saturday 4^th February 2012.

The Poole Lion’s Club is aiming to raise at least £30,000 this year which will help fund projects within the local community, previous proceeds have reached over £700,000!

If you’d like to sponsor us please contact Anne (anne@rdaconsultancy.com) and we’d welcome every penny J

For more details about the Pool Lion’s Club visit their website – www.poolelionsclub.co.uk

Opportunities for environmental improvement funding -

Come along to the next Business link breakfast meeting in Poole on Thursday 17th November 2011 where you can find out how to receive up to 50% funding for environmental improvement projects (including consultancy work to implement ISO14001).

Anne will be giving an overview of her experiences helping clients obtain the money, and be happy to answer any questions you have around environmental or energy management systems.

Book you please here by following this link -

http://iyre-poole.eventbrite.co.uk/?ebtv=F

There is still funding available for Dorset based companies to improve their environmental performance.

Several of our exisiting clients have benefitted from funding which has helped them implement ISO14001 (EMS - Environmental Management Systems) and also to reduce energy costs through upgrading lighting, boilers etc.

To find out if you are able to benefit from this funding contact us and we will help guide you through the process.  But hurry, this is a limited pot of money and once its gone, its gone!

The Dorset Chamber (DCCI) is hosting their "Manufacturing Opportunities Event" at AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday 13th September 2011. Faith will be presenting on how companies can benefit from "Business Continuity" plans.

This event is free of charge, so take the opportunity to meet Faith and gain an insight into Business Continuity, as well as finding out about the issues faced in todays slowly recovering manufacturing industry.

www.dcci.co.uk/events

We have now been members of the Dorset Chamber of Commerce for over 15 years, and to celebrate the DCCI held a long service members evening at the Italian Villa at Compton Achers in Poole on 21st June.

http://www.dcci.co.uk/news-and-media/chamber-news/dorset-chamber-celebrates-three-thousand-years-continuous-membership

The Groveley Group, located in Christchurch Dorset, have successfully obtained ISO 14001 certification.

The process of implementation started last October and was part funded by Businesslink's IYRE (Improve Your Resource Efficiency) project.  Anne project managed the integration process and through working together produced an Environmental Management System which integrated into Groveley's existing Quality Management System.  

Successful certification was gained through ISOQAR in May 2011.

http://www.groveley-precision.co.uk/feeds/news/iso14001-environmental-management-system-success.aspx

We have successfully helped Batchelor Electrical successfully obtain MCS certification. 

The MCS Certification Scheme is an internationally recognised quality assurance scheme which demonstrates commitment to meeting rigorous and tested standards.  The scheme has been designed with input from both installer and product representative.

Similar to the Gas Safe Register, the MCS gives a mark of competency and demonstrates installations to the highest quality every time.

Additionally in order to be eligible for the Feed-in tariff (the guaranteed payment to householders, businesses and communities for small scale electricity generation) both the technology and the installer must be MCS certified.

Don't be left behind -

Great news - IYRE (Improve Your Resource Efficiency) funding has been extended for the next financial year. 

If you are looking to reduce your carbon emissions and improve your environmental performance you may be entitled to funding via this initiative, provided via Business Link.  If you're looking to implement ISO14001 then this may be a cost effective way of achieving certification. 

Click on the link below for further information, or if you are in Dorset contact your local IYRE advisor, Anna Frizzell -

  Email: anna.frizzell@businesslinkwessex.co.uk 

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=5001604389&type=CAMPAIGN