Locators’ Energy & Carbon Saving Initiatives
As a business – and as individuals – we are committed to minimising our environmental impact.
Over the last 10+ years, we are proud to have implemented numerous eco-friendly initiatives.
Among the most significant of these was the installation of 200 solar panels on the roof of our headquarters in 2013. With the help of a 40% grant from Low Carbon Dorset, we later added another 150 panels in early 2020 and doubled our generating capacity
So far we have generated over 600,000 kWh of clean, renewable energy.
Further initiatives include achieving ISO 14001 environmental accreditation in 2014. We have also since replaced every engine-powered car in our fleet with full battery EVs. This endeavour ran alongside a number of smaller but significant changes to our energy consumption, including . . .
🟪 | Implementing energy-efficient light sensors
🟪 | Installing workshop & office destratification fans
🟪 | Moved to a 100% renewable electricity supply contract
🟪 | Switching lighting to LED throughout our offices and workshops
🟪 | Switching to half-hourly metering, to provide enhanced consumption data
These investments not only reduce our impact on the environment but have enhanced our bottom line by reducing our costs. Over the past decade, Tony Stevens has responsibly researched and implemented these initiatives.
10+ YEARS OF LIFTING GREEN STANDARDS AT LOCATORS
Locators are the South’s leading supplier of materials handling equipment and storage systems.
We work with some of the largest companies in our area as well as many of the smallest too. Our experts help businesses grow their sales by supplying forklift hire services and more. With strong succession planning in place, we aim to be around for many years to come. But we can only achieve this if we turn the tide on climate change.
Read on to see the full timeline of our past and planned green initiatives:
March 2011 - Low Energy Lighting
We replaced our T8 florescent office lighting for lower power usage T5. (LED lighting not cost-effective at the time)
February 2012 - Hot Drinking Water Boilers
We installed these in place of kettles, reducing energy consumption
March 2013 - Solar Panels (Phase 1)
We installed a 46 kWp solar PV array (171 panels), with a payback in less than 7 years (verified post-installation)
November 2013 - Workshop Destratification Fans
We installed these with an expected 30% reduction in our gas usage (confirmed post-installation)
September 2013 - Dyson Hand Blowers
We fitted energy-efficient units to significantly reduce our paper towel usage and carbon footprint
December 2013 - Workshop Lighting
We replaced the existing sodium lighting with low energy usage halogen lamps
February 2014 - Paint Shop Destratification Fans
We installed these with a similar reduction in our energy usage achieved in our main workshop
November 2014 - Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
We purchased our 1st PHEV car to evaluate for future purchases
December 2015 - Occupancy Sensors
We fitted these so that non-office areas such as corridors only are lit when in use
March 2016 - Half-hourly Electricity Metering Contract
To better understand our usage when making future energy decisions
April 2017 - LED Office Lighting
We replaced the T5 low-power usage florescent office lighting with ultra-low consumption LED units
April 2017 - Office Window Films
On all external office windows, to minimise heat loss during the winter/solar heat gain in the summer
April 2017 - Office Destratification Fans
Following a successful trial, additional units fitted into high occupancy office areas
June 2018 - PHEV Cars
We purchased another 5 PHEV cars
December 2019 - Workshop & Stores Lighting
We replaced all workshop, prep building & parts store lighting, with ultra-low consumption LED units
March 2020 - Solar Panels (Phase 2)
We expanded our existing 46 kWp solar PV array to 86 kWp, with an expected payback period of 7-8 years
May 2020 - Full EV Car
Purchased our 1st EV
June 2020 - Full EV Car
Purchased another 2 EVs
July 2020 - Office Phone System
Replaced with a modern VoIP system to facilitate home working, thereby reducing energy emissions
September 2020 - Laptops
Replaced all desktop PC infrastructure with laptops to facilitate home working, thereby reducing energy emissions
November 2020 - Lorry Tractor Unit
Replaced with one which has much lower fuel consumption & emissions
January 2021 - Electrical Energy Purchase Agreement
Renewed using a 100% renewable sources tariff
October 2021 - Invested in Electric-Powered Cars
Every engine-powered car in our fleet has since been replaced with full battery EVs
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Despite significant efforts from fellow companies, governments and individuals from around the world, our planet’s temperature continues to rise.
Our team is committed to combating climate change. We want to help make the UK a cleaner place – but we know that this simply won’t happen overnight. To contribute to this ongoing process, we are formulating initiatives to pursue this goal.
At present, we have the following under consideration . . .
🟩 | Implemented a formal carbon footprint measurement system
🟩 | Decrease fuel usage by reducing moving parts stock on engineers’ vans
🟩 | Replace the workshop’s gas space heater with an air source heat pump
🟩 | Upgrade the air conditioning plant pack to utilise an air source heat pump
🟩 | Seek accreditation for ISO 50001 energy reduction standard
At Locators, we employ over 75 members of staff including 21 engineers. Our team are keen to do their bit for the environment, so we’ve trained them on how to be more environmentally friendly at work and at home. COVID-19 brought about a slew of setbacks but also provided glimmers of opportunity – which our staff have readily capitalised on in 2021.
We’re committed to ongoing improvements in the energy efficiency of our operations. Every day, we are working hard to be part of the solution and aggressively pursue our energy and carbon savings initiatives. As we pursue these goals, their value to both our business and society becomes clearer each and every day. Finding more renewable and low-carbon energy alternatives reduces energy intensity and many of our initiatives have helped to lower operating costs and drive sales. More importantly, however, our customers and business partners appreciate our emission reduction efforts.
As we pursue these goals, we encourage similar businesses to join our efforts and do the same.
