Knightsbridge Awarded ISO 14001:2004

Knightsbridge Awarded ISO 14001:2004

Knightsbridge Furniture has been awarded ISO 14001:2004 by the British Standards Institute for its environmental management system.

The award was presented to the Knightsbridge team in July by David McLean of the BSI Group, and was formally accepted by Knightsbridge President and Founder, Dr Arnold Moore and Chairman Margaret Miller. Also at the presentation were Managing Director Alan Towns, Financial Director Chris Smith, Non-Executive Director Steve Bullas and Health & Safety Manager Kevin Weeks, who headed up the project.

Accepted and recognised the world over, ISO 14001 is designed to reward companies who operate to the highest ethical standards whilst addressing the delicate balance between maintaining profitability and reducing environmental impact. ‘Thanks to the efforts and commitment of our entire workforce, we have proven we are able to achieve both these objectives,’ says Knightsbridge Managing Director Alan Towns. ‘Having identified all aspects of our business which have an impact on the environment and demonstrated an understanding of the relevant environmental laws, we have subsequently produced objectives for improvement, putting into place both a comprehensive management strategy and an ongoing monitoring programme.’

Specific actions included the introduction of procedures for the handling, storage and emergency treatment of oils and hazardous liquids, the improved monitoring and control of emissions and improvements to site drainage to prevent pollution of local watercourses. Other measures embraced waste stream segregation and enhanced recycling in order to reduce the company’s landfill contributions, together with a continued commitment to using timber from sustainable sources.

Knightsbridge Furniture has a long history of steering issues at the heart of the UK furniture manufacturing industry by fostering traditional values of craftsmanship and service whilst maintaining a contemporary perspective on design, development and production. In the early 1960s, President and Company Founder Dr Arnold Moore was instrumental in formulating the industry’s first flame retardancy standards and in establishing the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA), whilst today’s Chairman, Margaret Miller, has just been installed as Lady Master of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers (WCFM) and is a long-standing Board member of the British Contract Furnishing & Design Association (BCFA).