The environmental performance of hardwood specialist Sykes Timber of Warwickshire has won the company a Midlands regional Forum for Rethinking Construction and Employment (FORCE) award.
Nominees for the award had to show significant use of environmental techniques within the business – a philosophy that brothers Richard and Bob Sykes, the fifth generation in the 140-year-old family business – put into practice.
Richard Sykes said: “There is an element of recycling or waste reduction in all our processes. The recently installed dust extraction unit allows shavings to be recycled to heat and power some of our buildings and selected woodwaste is segregated and recycled for animal bedding.
“Storage sheds have been upgraded with high quality translucent roofing panels to reduce energy consumption, and extensive use is made of natural air drying techniques to minimise the energy required for the final kilning process. We also have modern water management systems in place.”
The company has planted around 28,000 trees in its own woodlands throughout the Midlands from which it can supply home grown hardwood.
Mr Sykes said: “We have always felt that environmental performance should begin at home with action speaking louder than words. By embracing this concept the timber trade has a golden opportunity to capitalise on the environmental benefits of wood and wood products.”
