MBDA, Lostock Lane, Lostock, Bolton

LOSTOCK missile maker MBDA may not be the first place that would spring to mind when thinking about environmental best practice.

But just like any other company, the engineering business is keen to reduce its impact on the environ-ment by good business which also saves money.

MBDA (UK) Ltd is part of MBDA, a pan-European industry leader and global player in the missile and missile system sector.

It was created in 2001 by a consolidation of aerospace companies in the UK, France, Italy and Germany, with BAe Systems holding 37.5 per cent of shares.

Bernard Waldron, MBDA’s director of manufacturing UK, and Lostock site manager, said: “Lean manufacturing aims and the MBDA corporate responsibility are entirely compatible with the drive for an effective environment.

“Elimination of waste in all aspects of our business has benefited both the company and the community in which we operate on a daily basis.

“From investing in video-conferencing to minimising the need for global travel and careful consideration of transport logistics and packaging to invoking simple measures, such as using double-sided black and white printing and switching off services when not in use wherever possible, we have seen a significant reduction in our carbon footprint and, consequentially, our costs.

“Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of our nomination for this award is the recognition of the contribution of all of our employees as without their efforts this would not have been possible.”

The UK consists of three main MBDA sites, based at Stevenage, Bristol and Lostock, with a total workforce of approximately 2,900 people.

Lostock is the manufacturing centre for the UK, which includes the assembly, integration and test of missile systems and support services, founded in 1937 as part of the De Havilland Corporation for the production of aviation equipment.