Lamport Gilbert - case study 

Lamport Gilbert markets itself as one of the UKs leading eco-print providers. Not only is this environmental positioning helping them to win new business, but by practicing what they preach to reduce their own carbon footprint they are boosting business returns and strengthening relationships with their customers.

Green business sense

Based in Reading, Lamport Gilbert’s 40 staff design and print catalogues, brochures and leaflets for businesses and charities – as well as offering mailing, logistics and project management services to clients.

The company is putting environmental awareness at the heart of its products and operations, which Managing Director, Andrew Robbins, says has helped the company land several major contracts and enhance customer relationships.

“Our proactive approach to helping our customers to be ethical in their print buying has enabled us to secure a six figure contract with St John Ambulance”, says Andrew.  “The advice and help we have given other customers in this area has also helped strengthen our relationships and resulted in an increased level of business.”

Andrew continues, “In other cases, especially with government bodies and local councils these green credentials are a requirement and therefore we would not have had the opportunity to work for them without the work we have put in.”

Boosting business returns

Like other carbon-savvy companies Lamport Gilbert have also boosted their business returns by investing in energy efficient technology. The company’s most recent investment has been a new B2 Komori printing press.  The Komori press, installed in January 2011, has a minimal environmental impact achieved through features such as:

• The KHS High Speed Inking System helps to significantly reduce paper waste
• The use of high-efficiency invertor motors and the structural design gives a substantial reduction in energy consumption.
• The dampening system the press operates accommodates non-alcohol printing therefore there is a reduction in the chemical compounds used.

This and other investments such as LPG vehicles and Passive Infrared sensors to monitor lighting use have helped to deliver significant cost savings helping Lamport Gilbert to become more profitable and pass on savings to its customers.

Setting Green Standards

Lamport Gilbert has a dedicated environmental team constantly reviewing its processes and procedures. The company has already achieved the ISO 14001 environmental standard, and is now working towards the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) accreditation. The company expects to achieve this year (2011).

As Group Managing Director Peter Smith explains: “Our customers not only want to see that we are environmentally aware, but also want to identify a true mark of credibility and transparency in everything we offer – which the EMAS standard provides.”

As part of its efforts to achieve EMAS – and to further cut energy costs – Lamport Gilbert approached the Carbon Trust, seeking advice on where CO2 emissions could be reduced even more across the business.

With our support the Lamport Gilbert have reduced their annual energy spend by £8,000-£10,000 – a significant reduction on its yearly spend, which had been £58,373. This has been re-invested and passed onto customers to offer better value.

Andy Robbins, Managing Director, Lamport Gilbert Ltd: 
“Working with the Carbon Trust has enabled us to reduce our carbon footprint and further reduce our impact on the environment. By doing this we’re not only become a greener business but a more profitable one, by reducing our overheads and attracting new customers who are looking to work with a company that has solid green credentials.”

See carbon saving advice for the paper products and printing sector, or call the Carbon Trust advice line on 0800 085 2005.