Newton Aycliffe-based BTS Facades and Fabrications, a manufacturing firm which produces rainscreen cladding to clients across the country, has won a prestigious national accolade.
Last year, the firm became carbon neutral by offsetting its carbon through a verified scheme, which sparked the decision to explore options to become NetZero by 2030.
Because of the team’s efforts, they were recognised for leading the way within the manufacturing industry and were awarded with the Sustainability Award at The Business Champion Awards, a national awards programme which celebrates the best of British business UK wide.
The ceremony was hosted by BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards in Canary Wharf in London on March 22, and five of BTS’ team members were lucky enough to attend and celebrate the win.
Managing director Philip Atkinson said: “I’m absolutely blown away, it’s the best feeling in the world.
“I feel so humbled. We were in a category where we aren’t experts in our field, we were just embracing sustainability.
“We were lone wolves in this, so to win is just fantastic.”
The team were required to host a five-minute presentation in February to a panel of judges, and Beccy Dickson, one of the judges, said she could see the passion.
“There are experts in this field, but we were just blown away by BTS’ passion.
“It was a memorable interview, and we were just blown away by the way you embraced it, it came from the heart.
“You can go to university, you can go to college, you can learn all the acronyms in the world, but it has to come from the heart – and we could see that.”
The firm is continuing with its sustainability journey, as the team at BTS are exploring options for self-sufficiency through wind farms and solar power.
The team at BTS is working closely with its supply chain to ensure all materials used are sustainably and ethically sourced.
This isn’t the only award BTS has received this year, the team were awarded with Family Business of the Year from for the second year running by the Federation of Small Businesses earlier in March.
Find out more about the firm’s sustainability journey at btsfabrications.co.uk/sustainability.