Royal Mint Case Study - ISO 50001 (Energy Management)
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Known the world-over (and supplying coins to much of it), The Royal Mint needs no introduction. By the very nature of the processes involved, coin production consumes a huge amount of energy – amounting to bills of £3.7m a year at the point where they enlisted our help. In the first year of pursuing ISO 50001 certification, the Mint shaved an impressive 6% off its energy consumption and set itself a target of a further 5% the following year. HELPING THE ROYAL MINT’S MONEY GO FURTHER
Transcript of Royal Mint Case Study - ISO 50001 (Energy Management)
Known the world-over (and supplying coins to much of it), The Royal Mint needs no introduction. By the very nature of the processes involved, coin production consumes a huge amount of energy – amounting to bills of £3.7m a year at the point where they enlisted our help. In the first year of pursuing ISO 50001 certification, the Mint shaved an impressive 6% off its energy consumption and set itself a target of a further 5% the following year.
HELPING THE ROYAL MINT’S MONEY GO FURTHER
“The system demands that we constantly review every area of working practice and actively suggest modifications where they can help.”
Contact us
NQA, Warwick House, Houghton Hall Park, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU5 5ZX, United Kingdom08000 522424 [email protected] www.nqa.com/enms
NEVER STOP IMPROVING
Much of The Royal Mint’s business lies in producing coins for central banks and governments – customers with a keen eye on their suppliers’ green credentials. So reducing energy consumption was critical to the Mint’s ongoing competitiveness. From its manufacturing base in Llantrisant, South Wales, The Royal Mint exports to over 60 countries worldwide. It already holds various quality standards, including the Environmental Management Standard ISO 14001. However, Environment Manager Martyn Grant wanted a process that would focus specifically on the issue of energy use and therefore made the decision to pursue certification to ISO 50001.
The purpose of this standard is to enable an organisation to follow a systematic approach in achieving continual improvement of energy performance, including energy efficiency, energy security, energy use and consumption.
Energy use at The Royal Mint
The furnaces used at The Royal Mint have to operate at a defined temperature and cannot simply be switched on and off. An annual energy bill of some £3.7m in 2010 illustrates how large a part of the organisation’s budget is accounted for purely by energy.
However, Martyn’s view was that they needed to reinvigorate the drive towards energy efficiency and establish better communication channels amongst the senior management team.
Formulating a plan
An initial gap analysis identified areas of weakness within the current systems and then an investment was required to develop initiatives to address these areas. The main area of activity was around communication – so a regular senior management review dedicated to energy management focused attention and ensured there was continual progress.
“The system demands that we constantly review every area of working practice and actively suggest modifications where they can help,” Martyn commented. “It also makes sure everyone is accountable and understands their responsibilities.”
Analysing the results
As part of the process, The Royal Mint sets specific annual energy-reduction targets. In 2011 the energy management strategies resulted in a 6% energy reduction per tonne of coins and so a target of 5% was set for 2012. However, for Martyn the benefits include less tangible results as well. “It really is about engagement – how individuals at every level are committed to improving our energy management. This is monitored through regular reviews that look at suggestions and contributions made by staff and examine their effectiveness.”
Working with a certification partner
The Royal Mint chose NQA to work with during the certification process. Initially attracted to the organisation because of its clear industrial roots and close association with the electrical industry, The Royal Mint was impressed by the expertise demonstrated by the assessors. “Their understanding of the industrial processes involved enabled them to work in partnership with us and to make insightful proactive suggestions as to how we could improve.”
With certification issued in 2011, The Royal Mint is now subject to annual audit visits to check whether the organisation is operating to the standard, leading to a full re-certification audit every three years.
“NQA’s understanding of the industrial processes involved enabled them to work in partnership with us and to make insightful proactive suggestions as to how we could improve.”
CS/RM/02/JUL13
