Page 90 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2018

BELGOTEX

Sales and Marketing
Director: Edward Colle
www.belgotex.co.za
the R17 million photovoltaic solar power plant that
WE TREAD SOFTLY
provides about 5% of the company’s annual energy
The Belgotex value ‘We Tread Softly’ reflects our requirement. A phase 2 solar power plant of the same
commitment to sustainability. capacity will be rolled out in 2018.
Belgotex has been a leader in the local flooring industry The rainwater harvesting initiative considerably
for 35 years, and has a healthy export market for high- reduced water consumption by using rainwater
end residential, corporate and commercial flooring. from the factory’s roofs in non-critical applications.
A member of the multi-national Belgotex International The company’s move to 100% solution dyed yarn
Group that spans five continents, Belgotex designs, production has also resulted in significant water,
manufactures and delivers a wide range of carpeting, chemical and energy savings. This has saved a precious
vinyl, artificial grass, underlays and rubber flooring resource, distanced Belgotex from old technology and
to private homes and the corporate, commercial, offers clients a far superior ‘stain proof’ yarn system.
healthcare, retail, educational, hospitality, sporting In alignment with the three Rs of waste management
and landscaping sectors.
– reduce, reuse and recycle – Belgotex seeks to
The company’s continuous investment in technology reduce inputs, reuse materials and recycle waste from
has laid the foundation for manufacturing excellence, the company’s operations, effectively reducing the
and adapting to market trends has ensured that amount of waste sent to landfill.
Belgotex remains competitive, locally and internationally.
Belgotex takes great pride in their innovative approach The ongoing ‘Green Journey’ aligns with Belgotex’s
to business, and in an age where the product is no value We Tread Softly, which speaks to the company’s
longer a differentiator, they focus their investments commitment to operational sustainability practices.
and energy on their people, their brand and their
distribution channel. Best Practice
The company adheres to international best-practice
The Green Journey principles and frameworks such as the ISO Quality
Twenty-seven years ago, the company embarked on and Environmental ISO 9001 (Quality management
their ‘Green Journey’. Operating from their 100 000m2 system), ISO 14001 (Environmental management
green factory, Belgotex is committed to sustainability system), ISO 14064/7 (Greenhouse gas emissions
on all levels. ‘We Tread Softly’ is one of their core reporting), ISO 14040/4/6 (Life cycle assessment),
values, and this is very evident in what they do. ISO 14024/5 (Environmental labelling), GRI-GR4
Raw materials for several products are derived Guidelines, 12 Principles, and the GreenTag and
from post-industrial and post-consumer waste, GreenStar 6 Star certifications.
and the needlepunch ranges are made with a blend
of polypropylene and recycled eco-fibre. This Belgotex Foundation
considerably lowers the embodied energy associated The company has a history of establishing,
with virgin raw material use. supporting and implementing programmes that
uplift communities and organisations. The Belgotex
A Carbon Footprint analysis was done in 2010 and,
Belgotex developed their blueprint for carbon emission Foundation, established in 2015, was initially dedicated
reductions, using integrated carbon management to early childhood development. The Foundation
systems to reduce their carbon footprint significantly. successfully transformed numerous projects with
their wide range of products, but has concluded that
Numerous energy optimisation initiatives have the role of the Foundation was far greater than ECD
provided more sustainable energy sources, including revamps and upgrades.
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