Top Regional Rating for Pumps Group

Watson-Marlow Pumps’ new manufacturing plant in Falmouth has been recognised for its green credentials becoming the first industrial facility in Cornwall to be awarded a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.

The £7.3 million silicone tubing plant has been praised for its energy efficiency and preservation of the surrounding natural landscape. Under BREEAM, the Building Research Establishment’s method for assessing sustainability, the facility has achieved an impressive ‘Excellent’ rating. According to BRE statistics, though there have been 15 industrial certifications in Cornwall, Watson-Marlow’s Falmouth plant is the first to achieve an ‘Excellent’ rating.

Environmental features at the facility include high levels of insulation, rainwater recovery and air locks to all external doors, to minimise heat loss and keep the atmosphere clean. The building has
been ‘sunk’ into the slope of the land to minimise visual impact, and 75% of the topsoil and spoil from the excavation was reused. More than 4000 plants have been used in landscaping, including 23 oak trees.

The company drew on all-important external support’ to achieve its sustainable vision receiving investment of £769,000 from the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence and £256,000 from the South West RDA.

Christopher Gadsden, Managing Director of Watson-Marlow Pumps Group, commented: “We have put a great deal of investment into our new building and we are delighted to have achieved the ‘Excellent’ rating from BREEAM. Although this is a manufacturing facility, we have still made every effort we can to deliver a building that is both sustainable and fit for purpose.”