CA Sustainability

A progressive vision for the future of sustainable building envelopes

Sustainability is a vast topic and covers many varied aspects. For CA Group, sustainability means more than just environmental credentials, as important as these are. It also means adopting and promoting sustainable business practices. As an EBT (Employee Benefit Trust) the business is owned by and held in trust for the employees. Our commitment therefore is absolute – we must ensure that all our business activities create a better, stronger and more community engaged company for the benefit of all employees, their families and the wider community. From the development of sustainable building envelope products, to the way in which we function as a business, we understand our responsibilities to our employees, to our clients, our customers, and to society as a whole.

Our Sustainable Vision

CA Group is actively contributing to sustainable development through Environmental Protection, Social Responsibility and Economic Progress. To us, this means meeting the needs of society today, while respecting the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainability does not have to cost the earth.

CA Group is committed to year on year carbon emission reductions, and we are proudly measuring and reducing our carbon footprint with the PlanetMark Business Certification.

Sustainable Cladding & Facades

Sustainability Statement

CA Group believes that sustainability is an essential business practice in today’s economy. The CA Group goal is to be a leader in the area of practical sustainability and environmental responsibility for our industry. We will plan for the future, while accepting the urgency of today.

In line with these principles, CA Group strives to encourage continuous improvement in all areas of environmental stewardship – responsible use of raw materials and natural resources, design processes and operations of all facilities, to reduce the impact of our activities on the environment. One of CA Group’s strong focuses is on reducing, recycling and reuse.

Production continually assesses alternate materials and process improvements for our products and potential new systems. This cycle of continuous improvement allows CA Group to capitalise on technology and efficiency to reduce our environmental footprint.

Quality of life, the environment, products and processes are a by-product of all that we do at CA Group, from the boardroom, to the employees on the production floor, to sales staff and construction related staff.

Our most valuable asset is our employees; their well-being is a core value for all CA Group operations. Through training and technology, we will continuously improve / optimise our products, our processes, safety of our work environment and technical skills of our employees throughout the organisation. All of these values encompass the foundation of our efforts in becoming a leading sustainable company.

We are committed to maintaining an open and transparent dialogue with each of our customers by reporting our performance on a regular basis. CA Group’s Management is committed to supporting the development of, and compliance with, environmental and safety policies based on CA Group’s common objectives and business success goals.

Values

CA Group’ sustainability policies and practices are directly linked to our fundamental values:

Act with uncompromising honesty and integrity in everything we do
Satisfy our customers with innovative technology and superior quality, value and service
Respect our social and physical environment
Value and develop our employees’ diverse talents, initiative and leadership
Earn the admiration of all those associated with CA Group

Sustainable Strategies

CA Group strategies for sustainability encompass the pursuit of customer satisfaction and commercial success in products within a framework of Environmental, Social, and Economic values.

CA Group values are designed to advance society’s continued move toward sustainability:

Utilise CA Group’ Environmental & Safety Management Systems to help and our business units identify key issues and long-term solutions
Utilise a Life Cycle Approach to continuously improve our products and processes
Set Environmental objectives and communicate our progress

Meet employee and community needs as a socially responsible business by:

Attracting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce and sustaining a workplace where individual initiative is rewarded, employee health and safety is safeguarded, and innovation is a way of life
Supporting continuous learning and knowledge sharing to increase personal satisfaction, organisational effectiveness and business results
Where we operate; providing jobs for local residents; and supporting education, the environment, social and economic development

Key Objectives

Key issues are identified through CA Group Management systems in line with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, Life Cycle Product Thinking (Cradle to Cradle), Continual Improvement and feedback from our customers.

CA Group key objectives around sustainable development include:

Reducing carbon emissions by at least 5% year on year
Assuring our products are safe for their intended use through their entire life cycle
Assuring the appropriate resolution of all CA Group Safety, Health & Environmental issues
Maintaining a safe and healthy workplace
Satisfying our customers with superior quality and value
Providing a supportive, flexible work environment

Social Value Committee

CA Group has an established Social Value Committee that helps and assists good causes throughout the local community incorporating education, training, sports and grass root development, communities and charities to achieve their own objectives and targets.

Cleaning

CA Group uses only bio-degradable chemicals for cleaning all machinery and equipment involved in our processes. Any detergents used are suitable for safe disposal.

Energy

CA Group commits to:

Buying energy efficient, value for money machinery and equipment
Introducing safely without sacrificing productivity or comfort, new energy efficient techniques and technologies
Promoting environmental “best practice” through giving practical advice to all our employees
Installing SolarWall^® Transpired Solar Collector systems wherever possible to reduce operational gas consumption for the heating of buildings on site. Over 900kWpTH currently installed across the main manufacturing site
Installing LED lighting
Installing roof mounted solar PV to reduce site electricity demand with over 120kWpe currently installed across the main manufacturing site

Energy Efficiency

To drive continuous improvement in energy management, the company has committed to improve energy efficiency, throughout the business.

Waste

CA Group commits to:

Maintain all records of all waste and disposal costs throughout our business
Use all of its resources as efficiently as possible, encouraging re-use, recycling schemes
Ensure that all waste is dealt with according to the law and best practice guidelines
Use only reputable disposal contractors and check that waste is disposed of correctly
Ensure all staff are actively encouraged to participate in reducing, re-using and recycling

Waste Prevention

To drive continuous improvement in energy management, the company has committed to improve energy efficiency, throughout the business.

Water

CA Group commits to continually look to reduce water consumption by:

Monitoring our water supply by installing flow restricting devices where practicable
Specifying water-efficient appliances and equipment

Water Management

Water continues to be our most precious natural resource. As such CA Group continues to respect its use in every phase of our business. Water is essential to every aspect of life.CA work processes do not require water. Consequently, water usage is at an absolute minimum and is only required for welfare purposes.

Wood

CA Group will commit to:

Consider buying products / packaging made from reclaimed timber where practicable
All wooden pallets throughout the business are re-used
All wood is purchased from renewable sustainable resources

Reducing Pollution

CA Group recognises:

The impact of vehicle usage on the environment both globally and locally by minimising mileage and maximising our delivery efficiency, we keep vehicle usage to a minimum, where possible
That all Company vehicles are fuelled by diesel or hybrid
The need to introduce new technology and continually review best practise to implement the most efficient and cost-effective distribution routes to reduce pollution

Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions are a priority for CA Group. Although the science of global climate change is evolving, CA Group is taking responsible action to reduce GHG emissions. The emission-reduction goals include CO₂ equivalent emissions from fossil fuelled sources and indirect emissions from electrical use, and are being accomplished through efforts including manufacturing process improvements, energy conservation and more efficient equipment.

Emissions

Safeguarding our Air, Water, and Land is one of CA Group goals. We fully comply with all local regulations, but we at CA Group, believe that we must go further by reducing emissions below mandated levels. CA Group has set a goal of reducing air emissions as a means of reducing the GHG footprint for our sites. We are going to accomplish this through innovation, improvements in efficiency and using cleaner and greener fuels. We closely review each new or replacement raw material or supply prior to purchase to ensure that the material will not have a negative environmental or safety impact.

Paper

CA Group commits to reducing the use of paper in all areas of our business:

By the introduction of electronic technology which will replace the use of paper documents
Through electronic mailing of customer invoicing
By the Company email for communication to staff and customers
Encouraging double-sided printing and copying wherever possible
Using only reputable and approved supplier paper recycling companies

Packaging

CA Group commits to re-use cardboard and wood packaging where possible and dispose of via a reputable recycling facility.

Hazardous Substances

CA Group commits to:

Minimise the use of hazardous substances within all activities
Ensure that we store, use and dispose of in accordance with current legislation
Ensure storage areas are self-contained with spill kits readily available
Ensure compressed gas storage areas are located outside in self-contained secure cages
Installing LED lighting
Ensure no product with CFC/HCFC or VOC’s are used in our manufacturing process

Bio-degradable Substances

CA Group use bio-degradable substances such as wood and cardboard where they provide the best environmental option and value for money.

Litter

CA Group strives to keep all facilities and client sites clear of litter and debris so far as is reasonably practicable.

Noise

CA Group commits to comply with statutes, regulations, by-laws and codes of practice to keep noise levels as low as possible.

Procurement

CA Group recognises that Procurement activities can have a very significant effect on the environment and is committed to taking account of whole-life true costs of acquisition, quality and other benefits for products and services received.

Policies & Standards

The values embodied guide the actions of CA Group at all levels. These values extend to our accounting and financial reporting responsibilities. Our management is responsible for timely, accurate, reliable and objective financial statements and related information.

As such:

We maintain a well-designed system of internal accounting controls
We encourage strong and effective corporate governance from our Board of Directors
We continuously review our business results

Discrimination-Free Workplace

CA Group use bio-degradable substances such as wood and cardboard where they CA Group values all employees and the contributions they make and has maintained a longstanding commitment to equal opportunity. CA Group’s Board of Directors are dedicated to sustaining workplaces free from discrimination or physical or verbal harassment on the basis of race, sex, colour, national or social origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, political opinion or any other human trait, condition or system of beliefs. At CA Group, recruitment, training and promotion are based on qualifications, performance, skills and experience.

CA Group offers people opportunities to develop their skills, capabilities and provides opportunities for personal growth and professional development where possible.provide the best environmental option and value for money.

Guidance and Reporting for Employees

CA Group promotes workplaces in which open and honest communications among all employees are valued and respected. CA Group is committed to following all applicable employment laws.

Employee Training and Education

Through training and internal communication, CA Group makes its employees aware of how our operations impact the environment. As appropriate, employees in manufacturing and construction receive information, instruction and training annually on topics such as waste management, spill prevention and response and recycling. We post our environmental policy in our facilities and on the website. Through our environmental management system, employees are routinely involved in identifying the environmental aspects associated with their responsibilities.

Governance

CA Group Safety, Health and Environment Department are charged with ensuring company-wide adherence to CA Group’s Safety, Health & Environmental policy. The governance model we use to accomplish this task includes clearly defined goals, a single set of standards and an audit process that ensures conformance to these requirements.

Standards and Programs

Safety, Health & Environmental standards are our primary tool for ensuring compliance with company policies and goals. These standards establish specific requirements for product safety, materials safety, packaging, design for environment, environmental management and reporting, workplace safety, emergency response and asset protection.

Management

CA Group will ensure that it continues to apply best practice in managing its own site and client sites by ensuring that as far as possible our processes do not pose an actual or potential threat to human health or the environment for example from contamination of the soil, ground water and surface water.

Environmental Management

CA Group works to go beyond the minimum compliance. CA Group’s Safety, Health and Environment Department support all personnel through training, assistance, data gathering, record keeping, reporting and auditing. Personnel who are routinely responsible for environmental issues are trained on a regular basis to address the environmental issues that arise. In addition, site management is also trained in an overview of environmental issues to ensure they understand what is required for their site.

Safety Management

CA Group provides a safe and healthy workplace and is dedicated to maintaining a productive workplace by minimising the risk of accidents, injury and exposure to all health risks. CA Group believes that the safety of its employees is a fundamental right but also a great responsibility. CA Group’s goal is for each employee to return to their home in the same good health with which they came to work. CA Group provides important resources to support the safety of its people, but the Company is also committed to an ongoing training program that allows individuals to take a shared role in their own safety and the safety of their colleagues whilst at work. CA Group utilises a management system that has helped us to positively impact the number of incidents in our facilities and has helped our employees feel empowered to take partial ownership of workplace safety.

Supply Chain Management

CA Group extends Safety, Health & Environmental requirements across its supply chain. CA Group has asked its materials and components suppliers to meet specific Safety, Health & Environmental requirements. These requirements were recently broadened to better govern the use of chemicals in CA Group products, parts and supplies throughout the supply chain. To maintain and achieve regulatory compliance, a well-established internal audit program measures our success in implementing standards and guidelines. To identify environmental, health and safety risks and potential areas of non-compliance, CA Group audits manufacturing and construction operations on a regular basis. The duration is based on the type of operations and the inherent risks associated with the operations. CA Group audit operations against CA Group standards, regulations and industry guidelines and, with the assistance of managers and support staff, develop action plans to correct deficiencies. Senior management pays particular attention to situations with the potential to pose a high risk of environmental damage, serious injury to employees, or regulatory non-compliance.

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