IMC, Europe's leading manufacturer of commercial bar and catering equipment, completed its relocation at the end of last year to its new headquarters on Wrexham's Industrial Estate. The company, which employs around 100 people, has taken the opportunity to embrace its green responsibilities by introducing a host of environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.

Parts and components are cleaned and degreased by the recently installed "Turbex" washing machine using water-based detergents, rather than carcinogenic chemicals, which carry no health hazard and can be safely disposed of to drain. Painting and gritting ovens minimise energy consumption by using the very latest in lean burn technology and air recycling systems.

Care for the environment has also been a top priority when equipping the workplace. Long life, low energy light bulbs and tubes have been used whilst the state-of-the-art air conditioning system is extremely energy efficient.

Around the site, mature trees have been retained and areas set aside for the planting of new trees, shrubs and plants. IMC Managing Director, Tim Tindle, explains: "We have worked especially hard to restrict noise, dust and fumes not only to make IMC a pleasant place to work but to minimise our physical impact on the local environment."

Even the vast majority of the waste being generated by the site is recovered, with almost 100% of scrap metals being recycled.

The company's bar and catering product ranges, too, are designed with the environment in mind, striking an ethical balance between minimal energy usage and maximum recovery in recycling, whilst still retaining a realistic selling price. For example, IMC's refrigerated bar systems use the more expensive slab polystyrene insulation rather than cheaper blown foam in order that at the end of the product's working life it can be almost completely dismantled for recycling.

This dedication to considering its impact on the environment remains a core facet of IMC's new product development. As Tim points out, it is also at the core of the company's operational plans: "Right now we are undertaking background work and feasibility studies on heat exchangers for the ovens that we use and on generating our own energy through the installation of windmills."

Continued focus by everyone in the company should ensure that IMC sets the standard for other organisations to aspire to.