Tractor manufacturer Terberg takes its Corporate Social Responsibility role seriously, rolling environmental issues under its CSR umbrella.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Port Strategy<\/i>, export manager Frank Oerlemans explains that the company looks into the environmental issues that are connected to the production of its tractors through its Corporate Social Responsibility document, which goes further than just looking at its carbon footprint; it also takes into account the human factor, not just in respect of its own employees, but also in respect of its suppliers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we put together this CSR policy document, we realised that there is always more that can be done. In the management team, for example, we are forever returning to this subject whenever we hold meetings,\u201d says Mr Oerlemans.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are convinced that environmental issues will become more and more important in the future. Indeed, many of our customers are very interested in this area, too, however, not many of them are yet prepared to pay higher prices to reflect this. It therefore remains up to us to continue to find ways of improving this side of our products without increasing the total cost of ownership.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Lighting up<\/b><\/p>\n
One of the ways in which Terberg attempts to help the environment, he says, is by reducing the energy consumption of its tractors. All those built since 2010, for example, have been fitted with LED rear lights, which use less energy. LED lighting also has a much longer lifetime in comparison to normal bulbs and therefore its use results in a lot less wastage in material.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the modernisation of our production facility in 2010, we placed isolated light domes in the roof. These resulted in a reduced need for artificial light and better insulation. In short, this results are lower energy consumption. Existing walls were also replaced by new ones offering better insulation and more noise reducing qualities, which also drive down the consumption of energy as well as bringing down the overall amount of noise in the factory,\u201d says Mr Oerlemans.<\/p>\n
Besides these measures, timers have also been applied to all heating\/lightning and air-conditioning systems, while the company’s policy towards car ownership is to take these on so-called “green leases\u201d.<\/p>\n
He also explains that the company is heavily committed towards eliminating waste in terms of the materials that it uses, not simply as a means of improving the bottom line, but also because it believes that sustainability plays a key part in what it does.<\/p>\n
\u201cWaste material is separated and recycled. Where possible, we also pursue a policy of returning pallets, rather than throwing them away, which means fewer raw materials are ultimately used in making them. Finally, the vast majority of parts and components used in our terminal tractors can be recycled at the end of their working life,\u201d says Mr Oerlemans.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Room for research<\/b> <\/p>\n
This ethos also spills over into technological developments, he adds, noting that Terberg Benschop BV is continuously undertaking research into cleaner and more fuel efficient drive lines. This has already resulted in the use of AS Tronic transmissions, fuel reduction packages and the use of lock ups in the convertor of the transmission.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also believe that our corporate and social responsibility encompasses our workforce, which means that our end products are ultimately produced in a much better all-round environment,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
He explains that the company often goes beyond what is required by law in the area of ergonomics and working environment, so it isn’t just being influenced by health and safety requirements. All offices are air-conditioned, for example, while on new assembly lines extra attention has been paid to avoid the lifting of heavy parts. This applies to both assembly line personnel as well as for the people employed in the logistics departments. Automatic doors help keep down energy costs and reduce CO\u00b2 emissions, while many places have hose and cable winders in use.<\/p>\n
Electric forklifts are operated, which produce no exhaust gases and generate substantially less noise. In the welding department, investment has been made in vapour suction systems with heat recovery, drastically cutting the energy bill and improving the working environment by filtering out exhaust gases.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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