The need for an Environmental Management System (EMS) became clear as the variety of vehicle manufacturers with whom CoolKit deals explained how their own manufacturing plants were phasing in such a standard. This was necessary, they said, to minimise damage to the environment resulting from vehicle manufacturing operations, to minimise consumption of increasingly precious raw materials, and to minimise the amount of energy consumed in manufacturing processes.

So, with CoolKit seeking to build better relationships with these manufacturers, the way forward was obviously to mirror their environmental standards. Having previously appointed the VCA (Vehicle Certification Agency) to conduct their ISO9001:2008 Certification in 2009, CoolKit re-appointed them to conduct their ISO14001 Certification and then spent 12 months preparing for audit. In doing so, CoolKit benefitted from the services of a final year student from the Lancashire Business School at the University of Central Lancashire. The School was seeking challenging business projects for the completion of their student’s studies, under the banner of their Home Grown Graduate Scheme, which was an initiative fully funded through Lancashire County Council. The student has subsequently secured a Junior Management role with CoolKit as his first post-graduation job.

Managing Director Rupert Gatty explained “We wished to make a clear commitment to addressing our environmental issues, achieving cost savings, and delivering improved operational efficiency. Having secured this Certification, we are positioned to build on our relationships with the manufacturers of the vehicles we convert by virtue of empathising with their own environmental awareness programmes. Our next steps will be towards securing Whole Vehicle Type Approval in order that vehicles converted with our products will be compliant with EC legislation beyond 2013.”