BRITAIN’s fastest growing IT suppliers ICP Networks are leaving their rivals green with envy after landing the world’s highest and best recognised environmental honours.
The South Manchester based networking specialists have already been labelled the ‘greenest IT’ business in Britain after their move last summer to a stunning new £1 million eco HQ.
Now their efforts have been officially recognised with the reward of the prestigious ISO 14001:2004 – the world’s most recognised environmental management standard.
The IT supplier has already achieved the ISO 9001 for Quality Management – the world’s most recognised quality management standard – proving just why so many blue chip brands choose to work with ICP Networks.
“It is a huge honour, something we are very proud of and shows we want to lead by example and practice what we preach. We set ourselves tough targets and work tirelessly to achieve those goals,” explained ICP Networks Managing Director Matt Archer.
“We take the environment and the IT industry’s effect on the planet incredibly seriously and regard ourselves as being front runners in the fight to improve the reputation of an industry that is often criticised for having a negative impact on the environment.
“Technology can be used to not only counter such accusations but to provide innovative new solutions that improve the environment by creating sustainable new energy sources that allow business to develop and expand whilst using less energy resource and reducing waste.
“The ISO 14001:2004 enables us to demonstrate our environmental credentials to clients and demonstrates our parity with blue chip brands such as Bentley, Disney and Sony.” ICP Networks buy, sell, rent and recycle all aspects of networking equipment supplying Cisco, HP, Juniper, Avaya and the world’s leading lines to more than 43 countries in the world from their South Manchester base.
Eco-Friendly
They moved to a purpose built eco-friendly HQ in Poynton, Cheshire in the summer of 2013 to enable them to expand and cope with demand as they celebrated their 10-year anniversary year.
The hi-tech building boasts the largest solar panelled installation in the North West – a 50kW Photo Voltaic system that generates a staggering 47 mega watts a year – more than TWICE the amount of energy required by ICP Networks.
ICP’s Networks solar panels save 29 tonnes of C02-a-year and will have provided a full financial return within seven years whilst modern light sensors – which contain light and motion detectors – combined with efficient light bulbs save a staggering 90% on previous energy bills.
Hot water is provided instantly via ICP Networks own electricity supply and a Ventilation System maximises energy efficiency through heat recovery systems combined with the latest HVAC units.
The ICP Networks HQ contains the highest level of insulation, Planitherm Argon Super Thermal Glass and ceiling tiles made of bio-soluble mineral wool, perlites and clay – ensuring the building stays cool in the summer and warm in the Winter.
Archer, one of the UK’s leading IT and Networking experts, has no doubts that the investment into ICP Networks new World headquarters will reap huge benefits both for the environment – and for his rapidly expanding business.
“We are particularly proud of what we have achieved, we designed our new headquarters from the ground up and every single aspect has been considered – providing us with a building which we believe is the greenest IT HQ in Britain,” Mr Archer added.
Eco Honour
“Our impact on the environment is extremely important to us, we are at the sharp end of our industry living and breathing the three ‘Rs’ – recycling, re-using and redeploying equipment that may otherwise have been discarded.
“The ISO 14001:2004 proves our environmental responsibilities go beyond simply recycling products. It proves the environment, and our effect on it, is part of our DNA as a business.
“It also proves beyond any doubt that it makes good business sense to consider environmental impact as our solar panel installation for example provides us with energy that is sold back to the National Grid.
“Our monthly energy bills have virtually disappeared as we generate our own and so whilst the initial cost may put some business off there is no doubt that the long term reward is worth it for the business and the environment.”
As well as the environmental benefits of the move to the new Headquarters the ISO 14001: 2004 and UK environmental waste certifications have established ICP Networks as a premier source for green assest / life cycle management for blue chip organisations.
ICP Networks provide a white label service for a number of blue chip brands with large UK and European footprints, storing, refurbishing and redeploying in-house networking equipment.
ICP Networks have also recently announced a sponsorship deal with Manchester City Football Club. The network specialists have agreed to become a sponsor of the Premiership giants CITC – City In The Community – program. CITC provide support to young and vulnerable people across the North West through a number of sporting and educational initiatives.
ENDS
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