Skene Group invests £6 million to reduce carbon footprint – May 2013
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
Glenrothes based Skene Group has bought 10 new Scania HGV lorries as part of a move to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
The environmentally sensitive engines in the lorries will comply with the new Euro 5 standard, which substantially reduces emissions of carbon monoxide and particulates.
Skene Group has also bought new Vauxhall mini buses to transport staff to and from the sites operated by the company, further reducing road distances travelled in addition to cutting fuel usage and emissions.
The Managing Director of Skene Group, Neil Skene said: “Every one knows that the construction industry has a large carbon footprint because of the nature of the work involved. Skene Group is determined to reduce our impact on the environment.”
He added: “The vehicles operated by the company currently travel more than 80,000 kilometres per week or 4.2 million kilometres over a year. Our aim is to reduce this by 10% over the next 12 months. The company has invested more than £6 million pounds over the last 18 months in more environmentally friendly plant and equipment.”
In November last year, the Skene Group announced an investment of £3 million in new plant and machinery at its quarry in Leslie in Fife, to make its aggregate manufacturing process one of the most modern and environmentally sensitive in the UK.
Controlled by computer, the aggregate processing plant uses a wet process that eliminates airborne dust. The plant is fully operated by electricity and does not require diesel engines or generators, which has eliminated exhaust emissions. Loading shovels feeding the plants are fitted with the most up-to-date exhaust gas recycling systems.
Products from the quarry in Leslie have a wide range of uses across the UK including the construction of houses, roads, schools and the new Forth Bridge crossing. The quarry also produces the main materials that are used in the production of bricks, blocks, kerbs and slabs at the Skene Group’s concrete product factory near Dunfermline.
