Green Apple Award For HJ Berry

Sept. 11, 2008 - PRLog -- The company, based in Lancashire’s Forest of Bowland, has secured a Green Apple Environment Award for its pioneering work.

Judges selected HJ Berry for its wide-ranging social and environmental programme. The award will be presented at the House of Commons in November.

HJ Berry’s programme includes low-cost homes for rent around its factory site, located in the picturesque village of Chipping, and a policy of using sustainable British-grown beech, ash, oak and other woods for its furniture.

The factory is heated with offcuts of wood and the company has even created extensive woodland in its grounds, where more than 20,000 trees have been planted -  ready for use in furniture production in around 70 years’ time.

This is the second accolade in months for the business. In July, HJ Berry won the North West section of the National Business Awards. Sponsored by Orange and regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of  British commerce, the company was successful in the Corporate Social Responsibility category.

HJ Berry Managing Director John Woodruffe said: “We’ve been working to protect the environment for decades now and this is starting to be recognised at a national level.

“We are delighted that our work has once again being rewarded. It’s an honour for all the team here.

“We find more and more customers are coming to us due to our green credentials and because we are a British manufacturer.  Taking a more sustainable approach is not just good for the environment, it makes business sense for us too.”
 
The Green Apple awards now place HJ Berry into the European Business Awards, enabling the company to showcase its environmental approach on the European stage.

HJ Berry is also entered for the national finals of the British Business Awards, which take place in London in November.

The company started to produce furniture in 1840 and is believed to be the oldest chair manufacturer in the country.

Part of its factory is based within a mill once used by a pioneer of the Industrial Revolution, Sir Richard Arkwright.

The site still retains a waterwheel which powered the plant up to the 20th century.  

Find out more about the company at http://www.hjberry.co.uk
 
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About HJ Berry

Based in Kirk Mills, Chipping, Preston, Lancashire, HJ Berry manufactures furniture for the nursing and healthcare sector, as well as commercial and residential markets.

Find out more at http://www.hjberry.co.uk

About the Green Apple Awards

Now in their 15th year, the Green Apple Awards attracted more than 500 nominations this year. They are organised by The Green Organisation, an independent non-profit environment group, dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world.

The Green Association is funded by membership and sponsorship, with support from the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management and other professional bodies.

HJ Berry go to the House of Commons on Monday, November 10, to receive their award.

Press release issued by Jane Shepherd, Shepherd PR Ltd.

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