business & market news
12
Tube Products International March 2013
BSS continues support for industry
excellence
BSS Industrial has sponsored the
annual SkillPIPE competition for the
fourth year in a row, and has offered
its congratulations to gold medal
winner Patrick O’Leary of NG Bailey
Engineering Academy. The distributor
once again donated materials such as
pipes, valves and Boss consumables,
which were used in practical challenges
throughout the competition.
The latest event was held at the NEC
in Birmingham, UK, alongside the UK
finals of SkillELECTRIC, SkillFRIDGE,
SkillPLUMB and SkillBUILD. After a
series of challenges, the six SkillPIPE
finalists had to cut, thread, weld and
install pipework with temperature
controls, commissioning valves and a
circulating pump. The installation was
then inspected by a judging panel of
industry experts, before Mr O’Leary was
crowned the overall winner.
Chris Hufflett, sales and operations
director for BSS Industrial, commented,
“BSS Industrial was pleased to once
again show its support for SkillPIPE.
It’s an innovative competition that
rewards those who are already
achieving excellence in the industry,
whilst promoting the need to continue
improving standards nationwide.
“SkillPIPE provides a fantastic
opportunity for employees and
students to showcase the level of talent
currently operating in this sector and
be rewarded for their exceptional skills
and abilities. Congratulations to Patrick
and all of the finalists who have been
recognised as the best at what they
do.”
BSS Industrial, part of the plumbing and
heating division of Travis Perkins plc,
is a UK pipeline and heating distributor
with over 60 branches, a national
distribution centre in the East Midlands,
and a national tube distribution centre
in Coventry.
BSS Industrial
– UK
Reducing carbon emissions targets
Wolseley UK has announced that it will
aim to reduce carbon emissions from
energy consumption by 30 per cent in
the next three years, as part of its new
environmental policy for sustainable
development.
The company, a distributor of
construction products to the
professional
trade,
has
put
environmental considerations at the
heart of its day-to-day operations,
pledging to cut carbon emissions from
energy usage by almost a third by
2015. In order to achieve the reduction,
Wolseley will carefully monitor and
manage environmental performance at
all levels of the business, particularly
in areas of energy and waste. Other
initiatives are also being considered,
such as the installation of PV technology
and LED lighting.
ConnorDalton,environmentalmanager,
Wolseley UK, explained: “We have
always been dedicated to delivering
a service which considers
the environmental impact
of all areas of our business
and we believe the ambitious
target of reducing carbon
emissions by 30 per cent really
demonstrates how seriously we
take green issues. By closely
examining levels of energy
consumption and reducing
the amount of waste sent to
landfill through an established
recycling programme, we
will dramatically improve the
environmental impact of our
processes.
“As part of our strategy for reducing total
carbon footprint, we plan to implement
a range of environmentally friendly
initiatives, as we believe creating and
setting a green agenda is an important
part of any successful business –
particularly now that these credentials
are such an important criterion in
supplier selection.”
In 2011, the company was awarded the
Carbon Trust Standard for its dedication
to reducing carbon emissions by 18 per
cent during a one-year period.
With a qualitative assessment
score of 76 per cent, Wolseley UK
was commended for showing
“demonstrated effectiveness at
responding to climate change through
governance, carbon accounting and
carbon management”.
Wolseley UK, a subsidiary of Wolseley
plc, provides construction products and
materials through a nationwide branch
network, including Drain Center, Plumb
Center, Pipe Center, Climate Center,
Parts Center, Integrated Services and
William Wilson.
Wolseley UK
Wolseley UK’s
head office
