Eco-friendly Maidstone factory claims to help environment and local economy
Zehnder produces environmentally friendly heating, cooling and ventilation systems, and it says all local employees will have access to a free, electric bus service.
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00:00 The opening of a brand new manufacturing plant, which claims to be environmentally friendly
00:05 and environmentally positive for the Hollingbourne area of Maidstone.
00:09 The business park was initially opposed by locals for being developed into an industrial
00:13 site but now it's the home to this - heating and cooling manufacturer Zender's brand new
00:19 factory.
00:20 From trapping rainwater to be reused, to recirculating heat energy from its offices, the factory
00:26 has been built from the ground up to be sustainable.
00:29 Coming along for the red carpet opening was Favisham and Mid Kent MP Helen Waitley.
00:33 I'm here today because this is a significant investment in the local economy here and for
00:39 Zender an international business to have put their funding into this new facility is actually
00:45 really important and I think it's important to support it.
00:49 I also want there to be strong relationships between the business and the local community.
00:54 The fact that the market is now changing and you're seeing businesses like this that are
00:58 looking at sustainability first, is it a step too late?
01:01 Should we have seen this five, ten years ago?
01:03 I think it takes time inevitably for businesses to work out how to do things, for all of us
01:08 to work out how to do things sustainably.
01:12 But what's important is that, they're looking to go as fast as they can while still making
01:19 sure that they produce products that are affordable.
01:22 Zender believes that a carbon neutral future is the key to slowing climate change and says
01:27 despite not being there yet, that the target is possible for them.
01:31 We actually live and breathe, we make a pledge that we are going to reach net zero and we
01:35 have a specific road map and it's not just for this part of the business, it's for the
01:39 business worldwide.
01:40 So we're very passionate, so with the talk about net zero and carbon reduction we do
01:44 a great heat recovery unit that can take stale air out of the building but bring in fresh
01:49 air but also recover the heat.
01:51 So that's great from a sustainability point of view.
01:53 We also do a range of radiators plus electric radiators as well so again sustainability,
01:57 we're electrifying the grid as a country.
01:59 So it's all in that move to net zero and to reduce carbon in the home.
02:04 And it's not just what goes on inside here that is eco-friendly.
02:07 This business also says that it's set up an electric bus service to bring employees here
02:12 to the factory, all of whom I'm told live within a 12 mile radius.
02:17 It's all in a bid to reduce the company's carbon footprint.
02:21 And that's not all.
02:22 Xander says that it also used local businesses such as packaging suppliers, subcontractors
02:28 and logistics firms to build and distribute its ventilation systems, coolers and radiators.
02:34 So with the climate crisis worsening in recent weeks, could a local first approach be the
02:38 optimal path forward for the manufacturing industry?
02:42 Bartholomew Hall for KMTV in Maidstone.
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