BOSS paints NV
| Type | Business |
|---|---|
| Sector | Other |
| Business size | 50-250 |
| Area of green Expertise | Renewables |
| Business network/ Club membership |
Network of Sustainability charter, Network ondernemend en duurzamer West-Vlaanderen en Lerend netwerk Energie (2009 – 2010) |
| Website | www.boss.be |
| Contact | Contact this case study |
BOSS paints develops, produces and sells high quality paint, to professionals as well as private customers. But we go further: quality, advice and service are key values in our approach!
Some of our environmental achievements are: relighting, variable speed drive air compressor, ecodriving training, recuperation of compressor waste heat, cycling policy, engaging staff, photovoltaics, reuse of rainwater, …
We have received a lot of recognition for our efforts:
- West-Flanders sustainability charter (former West-Flanders environmental charter),
- Green Plume 2010,
- KlimopAward 2010,
- KMO laureaat 2010 (energy),
- Peterschap in Netwerk ondernemend en duurzamer West-Vlaanderen,
- Ambassador of West-Flanders (energy is not the only selection criterion)
Boss Paints has taken a range of energy measures:
Technical measures:
- Relighting is most successful and profitable in warehouses, so that the lights are only activated when needed.
- Further savings were obtained by installation of a variable speed drive air compressor.
Organizational measures:
- We save a lot of energy easily by turning off the heating system every spring. This is a costless measure and without any negative impact.
- Cycling policy: every 6 months we offer our employees free maintenance for their bike. And they appreciate it a lot!
Behaviour based measures:
- Boss Paints has offered an internal ecodriving course, which resulted in a 4% reduction of diesel.
- Engaging staff must be a win win situation for the organization as well as for the employees! When we ask our people to put in some effort, it is important that we show our appreciation in return, e.g. by organizing a small competition.
The management of BOSS paints has a long term vision, including sustainability. Therefore, the management also invests in projects with payback time of longer than one year. This is a very important starting point!
The greatest bottlenecks are compliance to legislation (see key lessons) and trying to engage our people!
The better known the energy topic, the easier to set up an activity. It is very important for me as the environmental coach that our managers, heads of all different departments, etc… are convinced of the benefits and support and co-promote the environmental actions. If not, it is very hard to change the way of working, procedures, etc…
Engaging people requires a lot of time, because we need to change behaviour and so the message needs to be repeated.
Before you start, first go talk to the person who knows the relevant legislation. It is useless and depressing if you set up an internal project, then later you notice that some aspects are in contradiction to legislation.
Start with some quick wins (measures with a large saving potential)! Focus on energy-intensive activities, as relighting and pressurized air (variable speed drive air compressor and leak detection).
I got a lot of inspiration from other businesses taking part in the network of the Sustainability charter.
I find it important to go networking with other businesses at local events, even if the event program does not seem that relevant for your activities at first sight.
Furthermore, I ask advice of colleagues, read a lot of energy related newsletters, go to fairs … to be up to date.
