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At the Midlands Family Business Awards, which took place on Thursday 3rd October at Athena in Leicester, Willenhall-based Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd was presented with the Highly Commended award for its investment in the future, their journey to net zero, and giving back to both employees and local communities.

“We were delighted to be recognised as a finalist alongside many other fantastic businesses in the Sustainability category,” explained Chris Woolridge, Wedge Group Galvanizing’s Managing Director. “But to be recognised with a Highly Commended award on the night was a huge surprise and an honour.

“Our vision is to be the UK’s galvanizer of choice which is why we’re wholly committed to delivering an exceptionally high level of service to our customers UK-wide, and we strive to extend this further by taking a genuine interest in and a proactive approach towards sustainability.

“We genuinely believe it’s the right thing to do, and because we know it’s what our team, customers, suppliers and local communities want and need from us. But it’s always a privilege when efforts are acknowledged externally.”

The company is dedicated to making long-term decisions and investments to seek sustainable solutions and support their local community and the people within it. Proud to do things for the right reasons, they’ve established a Sustainability Commitment. It boasts a triple bottom line: focused on people, planet, and profits.

Significant investments have been made to its entire UK-wide operation to improve its sustainability efforts, including; implementing Smart Firing by Hasco-Thermic. Smart-fire furnaces reduce energy usage and extend the lifespan of the kettles by transitioning collective burner control to independent regulation, which has an average 15% saving on gas use and a significant reduction in carbon emissions; installing rainwater harvesting systems; the removal of Lead and Chromium Trioxide from the process (months ahead of legislation), and investing in electric mechanical handling equipment.

The Midlands Family Business Awards was established in 2010, aiming to shine a light on the region’s talented and successful family businesses. Its sustainability category recognises outstanding achievements that inspire others to embrace sustainability as a driver of success, contributing to a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable future for all.

“While our business has grown over the years, allowing us to provide a truly national galvanizing service, our roots are undeniably embedded in Willenhall. It’s not just where our Head Office is proudly situated – in the recently renovated Little London School – but it’s here where it began in 1869 by John Wedge,” Chris concluded.

By Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd

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