After participating in the previous iteration of the Net Zero MK programme with his former employer, Environment and Sustainability Manager Paul Arnold was keen to get Helix UK signed up to help them along the journey to greater sustainability.

A team of Net Zero Advisers helped Helix UK carefully dissect their emissions profile and develop a plan to lower their emissions going forward.

Helix UK is a high-performance electric motor manufacturer based in Milton Keynes with over 25 years of experience in engineering electric drive systems across various applications, including aerospace, automotive, motorsport, and commercial vehicles. They are constantly innovating, while ensuring sustainability is a core part of their brand.

“The company is quite new to its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) agenda,” says Paul, “so primarily we've been looking at our carbon footprint and our waste management system. We're also undertaking ISO 14001 certification, which is important because it forces a clarity of thinking and added scrutiny at the higher level of the organisation.

“With that framework in place, we will start to get much better at really understanding our environmental impacts. Next year, we'll be able to show real benefits against the baseline that we’re establishing this year.”

The Net Zero MK team were able to help Paul dive into the detailed area of scope 3 emissions, a crucial component of the big picture that factors in the emissions of those in a company’s supply chain, among other factors.

“We're looking at our scope 3 emissions and it's in that area where we need a bit more help,” says Paul. “We build electric power trains for motorsport and aviation and marine, but we don't necessarily get information on how the products are used at the end, as that can often be protected information. We’re also really keen to further understand where our materials come from, such as rare earth metals. And then there’s other things that people don't really think about, like where your investments go, the amount of money you spend on cleaning services, on legal services, and consultancy.

“It's been good to understand the impact of these things and to be able to communicate to the whole organisation that our emissions are not only from a manufacturing context. They include all the ‘soft’ services that support the wider operations, everything we do, the decisions we make on a daily basis, and where we spend our money.”

Helix UK have been proactive in their sustainability efforts, implementing LED lighting, high-efficiency variable refrigerant flow heating, ventilation and cooling (VRF HVAC) systems, low U-factor composite cladding and roofing panels, and solar panels throughout their premises. Additionally, they have installed several electric vehicle charging points onsite for staff and visitors, with plans to install more.

“It’s increased our self-awareness as an organisation and will help with our communication with customers and where we're aiming our products,” says Paul.

“The commercial benefit is that it will unlock conversations with companies which have quite strict minimum environmental thresholds and standards before you can even start to work with them or sell your products to them.

“The moral and ethical benefits are that we're able to retain good people and attract a wider pool of talent. Within a turbulent sector, having a bit more resilience within your staff and the culture of your organisation is important.”

Participating in the Net Zero MK programme enabled Helix to gain a detailed understanding of their emissions profile and identify key areas for improvement. The support from the programme helped them implement effective measures to reduce their carbon footprint, enhancing their operational efficiency and sustainability credentials. Their proactive approach has set a benchmark for other businesses in the industry.

Paul shares some advice for business leaders who want to do more on their Net Zero journey. “It's about communicating with your staff and treating people with respect as you go through the journey. Most people want to do the right thing, but they need to be motivated to be able to do the right thing. It all comes down to finding what people's motivations are, and that requires clear leadership and engaging with employees directly.”

Get in touch for support

The Net Zero MK programme has now come to a close. But there is still support available for businesses wanting to reduce their carbon emissions, save money, minimise waste, and progress on their journey to net zero. Contact our team for more information: email [email protected] or book in a chat via this online form.

Net Zero MK was funded by Milton Keynes City Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.(UKSPF).