A FOUNDRY isn't the first place you would associate with environmentally friendly practices.

But RHP Bearings Ltd in Roman Road, Blackburn is out to change a few opinions.

The company has already taken the first steps on the green ladder and is now working towards achieving the BS7750 certificate.

And the company is hoping to follow its neighbours, New Waterside Paper Mills, by becoming the first in its field to get the award.

Although the company is only in the early stages of their green improvements they have already discovered that going green and saving energy brings big bonuses.

RHP's health and safety officer Bob Tormay explained: "In our foundry we have two compressors side by side.

"At some times of the day they are both is use, but at others we only need one.

"So we began switching off the compressor that we didn't need and in just 40 days we saved £1,000. "Now we are investing in a machine to switch the compressor off automatically - any money we spend on such equipment will soon pay for itself at that rate.

"Energy is an expensive commodity for all business and you just cannot afford to ignore energy saving measures."

"We are so committed to this that we have got an environmental studies student coming from the University of Eindhoven in Holland to carry out a green audit.

"We believe that we have all got to show a commitment to reduce the impact on the environment.

"But if anyone thinks that these measures are not worthwhile they should look at the cost of not introducing them."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.