We’re delighted to share that G W Martin has been named a finalist in two categories at the SME National Business Awards! We have reached the finals for:
- Apprentice Employer of the Year
- Sustainability Award
Both nominations mean a great deal to us, as they reflect two things we care deeply about: supporting the next generation of engineers and building a more sustainable future for manufacturing.
Both nominations mean a great deal to us, as they reflect two things we care deeply about: supporting the next generation of engineers and building a more sustainable future for manufacturing.
Apprenticeships have always played an important role for our business. Today, our six apprentices make up more than 10% of our workforce, and we continue to invest in their development through hands-on training, new equipment and the developing G W Martin Training Academy, including a CAD Studio with 3D printing capability. Our commitment goes beyond our own walls, too, as we build closer relationships with Portsmouth Engineering Training Association (PETA) and other training academies through the South Central Regional Defence and Security Cluster to strengthen the pipeline regionally.
We’re equally proud of the progress we’ve made in sustainability. It started with the simple things – switching to LED lighting, adding PIR detectors and installing variable speed compressors – which together cut our annual energy consumption by 17%. From there, we invested in our own solar power, growing our system to 240kW, which now produces over 170MWh of clean electricity a year. Paired with a 100% renewable supply contract for any electricity we still buy in, this means our entire operation runs on Net Zero electricity, with enough surplus that we’re able to export energy back to the National Grid when the factory is closed. We’ve also looked at how we heat and cool the building itself, using air source heat pumps and evaporative cooling alongside improved roof insulation to keep consumption down at source. And when it comes to waste, we’re proud to recycle more than 90% of what we produce, keeping it out of landfill wherever we can.
Being shortlisted in both categories is a credit to the hard work and commitment of the whole team here, and we would like to thank every member of staff for the part they have played.
We would also like to thank the SME National Business Awards judges and organisers for recognising our work and including us among this year’s finalists.
We’ll be attending the awards final in London on Friday 6th November and look forward to celebrating with everyone on the night.
We wish all of our fellow finalists the very best of luck!
