Famed Żywiec was awarded in the Green Factory category in the eighth edition of the Factory of the Year competition. The second winner in this category was the Mercedes Benz factory in Jawor. The jury appreciated the solutions implemented by us in the area of closed circuit management, which allowed the company to reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste to almost zero. In 2018, Famed produced 160.869 tonnes of post-production waste, 99.95 percent of which was recycled or reused by us, and only 84 kg went to landfill.
In the Green Factory of the Year category, the jury members assessed the application of environmentally friendly solutions in companies, i.e. maximum energy efficiency, compliance with regulations, about environmental protection, minimising losses in production processes, waste management and handling of dangerous substances. According to the organisers of the competition, a modern production company should take into account the impact of its activities on the environment, and should manage materials, waste and energy in accordance with the principles of eco-development.
Apart from Famed, the second factory awarded in this category (ex aequo) is the Mercedes Benz Manufacturing Poland factory in Jawor. The factory in Jawor is the first one in Poland entirely powered by renewable energy.
– Good results, and what is more, successive improvement of effects, in the area of environmental protection would not be possible without consequences in the implementation of Closed Circuit Management solutions and Cleaner Production. We are very pleased to be awarded this prestigious award. Famed Żywiec proves that not only global companies, such as Mercedes Benz, can set a good example. The award also proves that business success can go hand in hand when it comes to with a responsible approach to environmental issues – says Marek Suczyk, Vice-President of Famed Żywiec.
Annually, we manufacture more than 3,000 copies of our products – hospital beds, operating tables and patient transport trolleys. The production uses, among others, 288 tons of various types of steel, 135 km of steel pipes and profiles, as well as plastics. The raw materials that are recycled are black and stainless steel, chemical waste from electroplating processes, used polyurethane foams, mattress fillings, packaging, production details, welding waste, oils. The multitude of fractions and materials that are recycled and reused is a challenge.
– In Famed, the whole process of raw material recovery is more complicated than in other companies which can boast a 90 percent or higher rate of waste recovery. At our factory, this process involves many people at different levels of management. Due to the complexity of production, it also requires considerable financial outlays from us. That is why we are all the more pleased with the results achieved, which are getting better every year – says Michał Grossy.
– Effective waste management allows us to reduce our environmental impact and brings measurable financial benefits. Our company consists of a team of about 300 employees. The fact that the effect of such a large organization is only 84 kg of post-production waste, which goes to landfill, is our success. We also conduct training courses aimed at raising environmental awareness and increasing the involvement of employees in activities for the benefit of the natural environment – comments Małgorzata Kotajny-Szewczyk, Logistics Director at Famed Żywiec.
The title Factory of the Year is awarded by the editors of Inżynieria i Utrzymanie Ruchu magazines and Control Engineering Poland. The competition is to promote production plants which are leaders in introducing the most modern solutions and technologies (in the area of maintenance, production automation, IT systems supporting production, «Przemysł 4.0» and pro-ecological activities) allowing to achieve very good operational results. The competition jury includes representatives of companies such as Bosch, Rafako, Rockwell Automation, Astor or American Tobacco. In this year’s edition of the competition 60 factories competed, which were evaluated in 18 categories. Among the finalists there were Danone, Kronospan or CCC plants. The final gala took place on 4 December in Warsaw. The title Factory of the Year was awarded to Pilkington Automotive Poland.