Rixonway Kitchens, one of the leading manufacturers working in affordable and social housing, has been named the Environmental, Social and Governance Management Team of the Year in the North East region British Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (BVCA) Awards.

The awards recognise the positive impact of private equity and venture capital-backed companies on the British and global economies and celebrate the achievements of the management teams that create, nurture and lead them.

With more than 30 years experience operating throughout the UK Rixonway acknowledges its environmental obligations and takes its responsibilities very seriously. To meet the current environmental challenges, it has developed a variety of tools, policies and strategies which have been ISO14001 accredited.

Some 10 million tons of wood waste are produced each year in the UK, of which only 1.5 million tons are recycled. All wood waste produced during the manufacturing of Rixonway’s kitchen furniture is collected and fed into a state of the art wood waste system. The system quickly and effectively grinds the raw material down and produces a fine, sawdust like residue which is then recycled and used to produce bio mass energy

To enable the recycling of kitchen furniture or any timber product taken out during refurbishment Rixonway has introduced an alternative way of managing waste. The service enables all the segregated component parts of a kitchen to be recycled. Kitchens that are normally disposed of via landfill can be collected and delivered to designated recycling centres throughout the UK.

The company recently moved all its waste management requirements to Leeds Paper Recycling, meaning that 100% of by-product is now recycled, while as a member of a WEEE Compliance Scheme, it reuses, recycles and minimises environmental aspects of the disposal of electrical items.

Rixonway has become the largest organisation in the UK to install the Dust Control Systems ‘Ecogate System’, dramatically reducing its carbon footprint. The intelligent Ecogate System monitors when a machine is not in use shutting down that particular extraction unit, saving the electricity needed to run the unit and heat the factory as less hot air is removed.

Acknowledging its social responsibility, Rixonway recently donated units to Thorn Cross Prison in Warrington to be used in a scheme aimed at teaching young offenders new skills to help reduce re-offending rates. The open institution offers a ‘fitted interiors course’ run by the Open College Network North West Region (OCNNWR), which teaches kitchen fitting. Learning a trade, as well as important social and life skills can be valuable when seeking employment on release.

The manufacturer has also pledged to tackle homelessness by helping projects that provide stable and permanent addresses; assist support groups for people with low level mental health issues; and provide funds and practical assistance to community regeneration projects.

Rixonway recognise that its employees are its greatest asset and cite their talent energy and enthusiasm as the main driver for its continued growth and development. Employee development is central to the company’s future growth and development plan and ensures that employees are not only suitably qualified for their current role but that future opportunities, aims and/or targets are attainable through the provision of relevant training programmes. Rixonway protects its customers by ensuring its products carry a manufacturer’s 20 years guarantee against faulty workmanship or materials. The company has received a Gold RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety award for its robust management systems. Paul Rose, Rixonway Chief Executive, said: “We are serious about our environmental, social and governance responsibilities. Even at this time of economic down-turn we continue to evolve, investing in new technologies and initiatives to ensure we are well placed as a business to secure and fulfil new contracts with existing and new clients.”

An award winning company, Rixonway has also been named Manufacturer of the Year at the Wates Living Space inaugural Supply Chain Awards earlier this year. The initiative recognises Wates’ principal UK supplier’s tireless efforts taken to help it provide housing clients with best value during times of economic turbulence. The company has also received a gold accolade for the second year in the RoSPA Awards, acknowledging companies strong commitment to employee health and safety.

The winners of the regional BVCA Awards will be entered into the national awards to be announced on July 30 2011.