UK's manufacturing firms are confident in 'green'

Recent research by a business bank showed that owner-managers of the UK's manufacturing companies are confident of their ability to manage pressures to 'go green'.

Coincideing with the publication of the UK CBI's 'Climate Change Task Force' report, research results released by Barclays Commercial Bank found that owner-managers of the UK's manufacturing companies are confident of their ability to manage pressures to 'go green'.

The report said only 19% of respondents said that the need to demonstrate that they are 'environmentally responsible' represented a threat to their organisation.

Some 32% saw the growing 'green agenda' as a 'pure opportunity' for their business.

As the CBI reported that UK businesses stand poised to take up the challenge of 'going green', Barclays Commercial's research suggests the link between sustainability and commercial success is becoming clearer to UK manufacturers.

The realisation is filtering through that being seen to act more responsibly when it comes to the environment can help win new deals, create high value products and services and build enthusiasm amongst employees.

Ray O'Donoghue, head of Manufacturing, Barclays Commercial Bank, said: "Developing more sustainable business practices and reducing environmental impact should be a priority for all businesses.

The bottom line benefits of operating more responsibly are becoming clearer by the day.

What is less clear is how businesses make their green aspirations a priority and a reality.

The CBI's Climate Change Taskforce findings will assist this process by sparking welcome debate and providing much needed guidance to UK manufacturing businesses so that we continue to thrive and meet whatever challenges of sustainability lie ahead".

The research shows that manufacturers are only just beginning to understand the operational and cost implications of reducing their impact on the environment.

Over half (57%) admit that they are concerned by the potential for increased compliance.

Encouragingly, said Barclays, 32% do not feel they will need to invest in new business assets to keep pace with new environmental regulations.

Of UK manufacturers, 22% said they were mindful of the potential reputational damage that may accompany being labelled a 'green offender'.

Barclays Commercial Bank has teamed up with key partners to develop an exclusive environmental proposition for its customers, as follows.

* Through Barclays Capital's award winning expertise we can help customers with carbon emissions trading.

* We work in partnership with the European Investment Bank to offer an exclusive cashback scheme to customers financing a wide range of capital expenditure projects with a minimum project cost of GBP 200,000 and a maximum value of GBP 17 million.

Limits subject to change but are based on EUR to GBP exchange rate of 1.45.

* We offer customers access to robust and cost effective environmental liability insurance through Marsh, a leading insurance broker and strategic risk advisor.

** About Barclays Commercial Bank - Barclays Commercial Bank provides relationship banking to 151,000 larger and medium business customers in the UK (GBP 1 million to GBP 1bn turnover).

Customers are served by a network of relationship and industry sector specialist managers who provide local access to an extensive range of products and services, as well as offering business information and support.

Customers are also offered access to the products and expertise of other businesses in the Group, particularly Barclays Capital and Barclaycard.

Barclays Asset and Sales Finance - a specialist business within Barclays Commercial Bank - provides customers with asset financing and leasing deals.

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