Firm offers a breath of fresh air

Buy photos » Droitwich mayor Coun Anne Taft meets Mark Sidebottom and Greenbox general manager Bob Brookes. Picture by Neville Collins 03013014NCD1 Order this picture at www.buyphotos247.com

DROITWICH mayor Coun Anne Taft has embarked on the first in a series of visits to discover the beating heart of manufacturing in the town.

This week, Coun Taft shares her experiences of her visit to Greenbox on the Hampton Lovett Industrial Estate.

AS I PULLED up at Greenbox, I did not know what to expect. The name Greenbox reminded me of some sort of storage system, but I soon found out this was not the case.

I was greeted by general manager Bob Brooks and given a tour of the factory. Greenbox have been based in Droitwich Spa since 2002 but the idea was originally conceived in the garage of a Droitwich entrepreneur in 1992.

He recognised that increasing energy costs created an opportunity for the manufacture of energy-recovery products and expanded the business from a small unit in Bromsgrove to its current site in Droitwich.

Greenbox employ 20 people, mainly from Droitwich, and they manufacture plastic air conditioning systems, mostly from recycled materials.

Bob told me their products are used in air-conditioning equipment in UK schools, hospitals, colleges, offices and supermarkets to recover heat that would otherwise be wasted. This reduces a building’s carbon footprint and fuel costs.

What I found interesting was that these systems, which last 10 years, could also be recycled at the end of their life which is a great idea.

I was shown how the plastic sections were made and put together. They are all individually made to each customers requirements.

Greenbox are the only manufacturers of this particular system in the country using plastic and they also export a small percentage abroad.

Their products have been supplied to customers in Europe and the US and the company have had enquiries from as far afield as New Zealand.

I also learned how the company was working with the University of Aston, with support from Wychavon District Council and Droitwich Spa Town Council, on a bid for European funding to create a test and research site in Droitwich.

If successful there will be a new centre for energy-recovery technology in the town and possibly more manufacturing jobs.

I wish them every success for the bid and beyond and thank everyone I met for what was a very enjoyable afternoon.

Share This

Regional news »