Member Article

Academy keeps it local to switch on success

Three switched on Hartlepool businesses have provided a perfect solution to light up one of the town’s schools.

Catcote Academy overhauled its lighting and electrical schemes to brighten up classrooms and corridors, making for a more enlightening experience for pupils.

And in a boost to Hartlepool’s economy, the Academy kept it local by sourcing three firms from the town to provide the equipment, the technical know-how and to manage all of the waste produced during the work.

C & A Pumps and Engineering installed all of the new electrical and lighting equipment at Catcote Academy, whilst the energy efficient sensor controls were provided by Durable Technologies. Both businesses are based at Hartlepool’s Queen’s Meadow Business Park.

All of the waste from the installation such as timber frames, cardboard packaging and electrical cabling, was collected and processed by J & B Recycling to ensure none ended up in landfill sites.

Alan Roberts, owner of C&A Pumps and Engineering, said: “This is a great example of three innovative Hartlepool companies working together to do their best for a client.

“The town is full of hard-working, dedicated businesses which when they work together, can compete with anyone around.

“When you are working with people you already know and trust, the relationships already exist to get things done properly; any issues can be quickly resolved because we understand each other.”

Catcote Academy is a specialist business and enterprise college for more than 100 learners with moderate, severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties.

The Academy has a clear commitment to sustainability and to reducing its environmental impact. Not only does that translate to using energy efficient materials, but also to sourcing local providers to minimise other costs.

It is estimated the energy efficient sensor lighting scheme – supplied by Durable Technologies to C & A Pumps – will cut lighting bills by up to a half by ensuring lights only come on when somebody is present and then dim when classrooms and corridors are empty.

Mick Slimmings, Premises Manager at Catcote Academy, said: “As an Academy, we are very much geared towards the green way of doing things whether that is reducing our energy consumption, recycling waste or sourcing quality local suppliers.

“C & A Pumps, J & B Recycling and Durable Technologies are three Hartlepool companies with fantastic reputations and we were delighted to work with them to complete the new lighting project.”

Vikki Jackson-Smith, Managing Director of J & B Recycling, which won Hartlepool Business of the Year in 2013, added: “It’s great to be working with other Hartlepool firms on a project that will benefit young people in the town.

“Hartlepool has a lot of great businesses and a project like this proves how working in partnership not only delivers quality but sustainable, environmental benefits too.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .