Thorn Lighting is delighted to announce that its Spennymoor factory has been
awarded the Sustainable Manufacturing Award at The Manufacturer MX Awards
2024. This accolade celebrates Thorn’s innovative approach to sustainability,
showcasing its ability to integrate environmental responsibility into every aspect of
operations.

Presented at the prestigious gala ceremony at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool, the
award highlights Thorn Lighting’s leadership in creating tangible environmental and
operational benefits. The Spennymoor factory achieved remarkable milestones,
including a 1.3 million kWh reduction in energy consumption between FY21/22 and
FY22/23, a 50% decrease in water usage since March 2021, and a projected
900,000 kWh reduction in gas usage through upcoming optimisations to the paint
plant.

Asif Moghal, Director, D&M Market & Industry Development, Autodesk from the
judging panel commented, "It was a pleasure to visit Thorn Lighting and witness the
impressive strides they are making to embed sustainability throughout their
operations. The enthusiasm and dedication displayed by the teams during our visit
highlighted a business-wide commitment to sustainability, where innovative ideas
are celebrated and actively contribute to their success.

Thorn Lighting exemplifies how strong leadership for sustainability, combined with
effective project management, can deliver tangible actions and measurable results.
The introduction of their new software system for monitoring utilisation and
enhancing safety was particularly noteworthy and demonstrated a forward-thinking
approach to both operational efficiency and employee wellbeing."

Mark Helm, Quality Assurance & Lean Six Sigma Manager at Thorn Lighting’s
Spennymoor plant, expressed his pride in the achievement:
"This award is a reflection of the dedication and innovation of our team at
Spennymoor. Sustainability is woven into everything we do, from cutting energy
consumption to designing environmentally conscious products. It’s fantastic to see
these efforts recognised on such a prestigious stage."
Saurabh Pandhi Vice President – Thorn Lighting, emphasised the significance of this
recognition:

“It showcases the dedication of the entire team at Spennymoor and their ability to
turn ambitious sustainability goals into tangible results. Achievements like this not
only strengthen our reputation as a leader in sustainable manufacturing but also
motivate us to keep driving progress for the benefit of our customers, communities,
and the environment."

Paul Kilburn, Managing Director at Thorn & Zumtobel UK & Ireland, added:
"Winning the Sustainable Manufacturing Award is a proud moment for everyone at
Thorn Lighting and the Zumtobel Group. This recognition reflects the innovative
spirit and collective effort of our teams, who are driving meaningful change in how
we approach sustainability. The Spennymoor factory stands as a beacon of what
can be achieved when sustainability is fully integrated into a business’s operations
and culture. We remain committed to leading the industry with solutions that not only
meet today’s challenges but help build a more sustainable future for generations to
come."

As they strive towards net-zero, Thorn Lighting’s sustainability journey continues
with ambitious plans, including introducing a rainwater harvesting system to reduce
water usage further, enhancements to the paint plant to cut gas consumption by
15%, and investments in advanced waste management systems to minimise
hazardous waste by 90%.

This award also provides customers with the assurance they need in today’s
climate, affirming that they are partnering with a producer fully committed to
sustainability and aligned with global environmental priorities.

The Manufacturer MX Awards, delivered in partnership with the Institution of
Mechanical Engineers, is the UK’s premier celebration of manufacturing excellence.
With rigorous evaluation processes and peer-reviewed criteria, the awards
recognise the exceptional achievements of companies setting benchmarks in
innovation, sustainability, and industry leadership.