Queen's Award presented to safe hands with green fingers
Explosion prevention specialist Epsilon was presented with The Queen’s Award for Environmentally Sustainable Development at Epsilon’s headquarters in Deeside Lane, Chester, last week. The Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd commended Epsilon’s business acumen and eco-friendly expansion.
H.M. Lord-Lieutenant, Mr. Trefor Jones, CBE, said:
“The Queen’s Award recognises businesses that do that extra bit. Epsilon has not only proved its worth in the business world, which is good news for the local economy, but it has proved its green credentials, which is great news for the environment. That is why I am delighted to present The Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development today. I know The Queen’s Award is valued very highly throughout the UK and overseas where it is recognised as a mark of distinction among many competitors. I know the difficulties faced by SMEs and I am very impressed by your rapid expansion and unique working space. You have achieved business success while performing work to the highest degree that actually save lives.”
The Lord-Lieutenant was impressed with Epsilon’s dynamic premises, including a gym and showers, bicycles provided for those who wished to cycle to work and a guitar, bass and drums setup for musically inclined members of staff.
Formal proceedings came to an end at 12:30 pm when staff and their families enjoyed the first Epsilon family day, including drinks, buffet and bouncy castle. Later the Epsilon in-house band entertained the crowd of over 60 people with a gig.
Sean Clarke, Business Director of Epsilon, said:
“Today was for the all the staff at Epsilon who have worked together to achieve this award. Everyone has put in 110% to get here and we look forward to building upon our achievements. We are very proud of the status conferred by displaying The Queens Award together with the Epsilon logo.”
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Notes:
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise award scheme originally known as the Queen’s Award for Industry, was instituted by Royal Warrant in 1966 following the recommendations of a Committee chaired by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The Awards are made by The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an Advisory Committee that includes representatives of Government, industry and commerce, and the trade unions. The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s top awards for business performance and are awarded in three categories; international trade, innovation and sustainable development. The Sustainable Development category of the Queen’s Award recognises outstanding and continuous achievement in the environmental and social impacts included in sustainable development. Epsilon is a test, assessment and certification body, and is appointed by the UK Government as an EC Notified Body (No. 1712). Epsilon is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and certifies against National, European and International Standards and Directives. Epsilon services include Equipment Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (ATEX) certification, site safety services (DSEAR), general product safety CE marking and Quality System Registration. Epsilon, which was founded in 1998, works with some of the largest blue chip companies in the world; BP, Total Elf, Rolls Royce, BMW, British Sugar, Thermo and Scottish Power. Epsilon has a particular strength in the field of oil and gas and has opened the first (and only) ATEX test laboratory in Houston, Texas to support its US customers and reduce its own need for shipping and flights. Epsilon is one of 119 Queen’s Award winners and has been chosen as prime contractor by companies such as Rolls Royce, BMW, British Sugar, Thermo, Scottish Power and many more and have planned and managed Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) projects of several million pounds. Epsilon is an ATEX Notified Body, by the UK Government and European Commission. Uniquely for a Notified Body, Epsilon is independently ISO9001:2000 certified so customer service levels are monitored at every point of the business. Epsilon’s Directors have taken the decision to make Epsilon a carbon natural company. Epsilon has reduced the amount of paper they use by 70 per cent over two years. Some reports to clients were 600 to 700 pages long and the use of paper has been significantly reduced by changing the default option on reporting to clients to “pdf’ rather than hard copy. At 16,000 square feet Epsilon has the biggest centre of excellence in the UK. For the Latest Compliance Information Visit: www.epsilonex.com The Greek Epsilon symbol is the Distinctive Community Mark for Explosion Protection. Previous winners of the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development include Chester Zoo and Scottish Power Renewables last year.
Epsilon Contact: Sean Clarke Tel: 01244 882590 Email: Sean.Clarke@epsilon-ltd.com
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