Despite the huge range of products being manufactured and supplied by us, our aim is always to operate within a climate of excellence, not only in terms of service and procedures for customers, but also for systems of product manufacture, the welfare, health and safety of all of our employees and those people affected by our activities. We aim to operate with Corporate care and social responsibility.

In an industry where traditionally additives, chemicals and fossil-based products are essential to the manufacturing process, we have challenged ourselves to ensure, wherever possible, the environment is at the heart of our activities. We are working extremely hard to create a “greener culture” within our business. Included in this policy is a summary of what we have achieved and are continuing to improve on throughout the Group.

In order to achieve this, the business recognises that promoting Sustainability and protection of the Environment and the avoidance of pollution, is of the utmost importance, not only for the here and now but for the future of everyone. At all levels, and within all functions of the Group, we are committed to continual improvement of our management systems and enhancement of our environmental performance.

We are determined to ensure that wherever practically possible, our activities including purchasing, manufacturing, distribution, waste generation and disposal, will minimise the effect on the Environment and prevent pollution.

On the agenda at Board level and throughout the business, we strive to continually improve all areas of our activities and the impact we have on the environment. We will always comply with relevant environmental legislation and industry codes of practice as well as any other compliance obligations, as a minimum level of performance.

Our aim is always to operate within a climate of excellence. That means not only the best performing products and service but also our methods of manufacturing, energy use, waste disposal, packaging, fuel efficiency and welfare of those affected by our activities are being constantly monitored. As part of our commitment to put the environment at the heart of what we do, we have developed an award winning range of Environmentally sensitive products, all designed to help reduce lubricant impact. We are also investing in unique, award winning technology to drastically reduce our carbon footprint.

Here are our new Specific Environmental and Sustainable objectives for the year ahead.

• Promote via marketing and sales strategy the use of lanolin based, non-toxic and environmentally sensitive lubricants as alternatives to conventional products. In particular this year we have developed a new award winning Biodegradable Gun oil which is designed to protect and lubricate firearms for game and clay shooting but without all the nasties. Not only is it biodegradable but it is safe to waterways, agricultural land and forestry and non-carcinogenic for the user. Furthermore, we have introduced a new Calcium based grease as an excellent alternative to lithium based grease. The impact to the environment from the mining and extraction of lithium is considerable and with recent demand of lithium for the use of car batteries, this natural resource is now in limited supply across the planet. The Calcium based Anhydrous grease will be encouraged for use wherever applicable and possible.
• Promote the invention of carbon neutral blending process to the lubricant industry. We continue to invest in Blendtek – our unique, award winning ultrasound blending technology, which has reduced the need to heat lubricants using gas or other fossil fuels. This technology is now available to others to drastically reduce gas usage, carbon footprints and we will continue promote the use of this method and considerable benefits to other manufacturers and the environment.
• Install a new piece of analytical equipment into our laboratory that will help to reduce the environment impact of our lubricant production. The XRF machine is used to test lubricants and analyse the elemental composition of a lubricant sample. This new valuable tool in lubricant testing helps to make sure the additive chemistry is present in the appropriate proportions to ensure the quality is correct for the various vehicle specifications and detect any contamination or abnormal wear that may affect the lubricant's performance. Previously, to complete this analysis, we had to use the element argon – the production of which, like many industrial processes, can damage the landscape and environment. The new XRF machine allows us to perform these tests, more accurately and without using argon so reducing the environmental impact. (2880 litres of argon a year were previously used) and the cost savings will also be significant. (Over £16k per year) based on 2022’s usage).
• Integrate what 3 words into ODOO and on our own company website to provide clear and precise locations for deliveries. This will help avoid needless miles by both distribution and sales team looking for places and the various options of access to deliveries.
• Reduce the usage of paper and adhesive based labels – we have developed some software and developed a process to produce our own labels on an “on demand” basis rather than ordering hundreds of labels that may never be used. This will minimise wasted paper based adhesive labels when specifications change and reduce multiple deliveries of finished labels as all blanks can be sourced together from one supplier.
• Reduce our delivery and picking order paperwork. We have developed a new software for the adoption of handheld digital devices which the production team can use for picking and fulfilling orders and the distribution team will use for all deliveries. This will be minimising the need to produce multiple paper copies (over 10,000 sheets of paper per year).

Everything we do is underpinned by the five principles of our business or Core Values - we call these values THE WITHAM WAY. In practice, each Core Value relates to how we operate. Our Core Values are at the heart of our family business and how we treat the people we have within our team, customers, supply chain and all those around us.

These values are not just good business practice, they are the cornerstones of pride on which our business has been built and grown on over the past 100 years. They will be the bedrock of what we continue to do long into the future. Sustainability and the environment is very much at the heart of our business.

To find our more about our Core Values please click here

In recent years there has been a global move and increased desire for people and their businesses to choose more environmentally sustainable products, use less toxic ingredients, ensure sustainable supply chains and find ways to reduce their carbon footprints.

Traditionally in the lubricant industry, additives, chemicals and fossil-based energy have been essential to the manufacturing process. However, several years ago Witham Group challenged ourselves to review these practices and lead industry change in placing the environment at the heart of all our products and processes.

We are proud to have created a “greener culture” within our business. This means not only the best performing environmental products and services, but also our methods of manufacturing, energy use, waste disposal, packaging, fuel efficiency, storage solutions and welfare of those affected by our activities, have all been changed and are constantly monitored.

As a reputable supplier, this means that Witham Group is making real differences to customer supply chains, by offering a unique package of sustainable credentials. In turn, businesses are able to more easily reach their own sustainability and environmental goals.

The Benefits of Using Witham Group:

• Reduce your Carbon Footprint
• Improve your supply chain standards
• Help reduce CO  emissions
• Improve vehicle fuel economy
• Ensure safer, cleaner products for your users and the environment

What Witham Group can offer you...

1. Unique Carbon Neutral Blended Lubricants

Witham Group have developed a unique blending system using ultrasound, which is proven to drastically reduce the energy (fossil fuel) used within the lubricant manufacture process. Many other UK and Global lubricant manufacturing companies are simply choosing to carry on with out of date blending practices and cynically use ‘Carbon dumps or sinks’ to meet their objectives. Our ground-breaking technology is a global first and is proven to blend lubricants in a carbon neutral process. This is saving huge amounts of energy, time, and carbon usage in the first instance and is helping to radically improve the lubricant industry as a whole. Customers of Witham Group can promote thefact that they use carbon neutral blended lubricants in their own sustainability statements.

2. Outstanding Environmentally Sensitive Products

The demand for safer products has led to a huge increase in the development of environmentally sensitive and biodegradable based lubricants that give higher performance compared to traditional mineral based counterparts.

Witham have developed a growing range of award winning, high performance and environmentally sensitive products: BIOLUBE, PROLAN & ENVIROYL are all designed to help reduce environmental impact, as well as helping reduce engine emissions and improve fuel economy. Further exciting developments include the launch of a new full range of non-lithium-based greases.

All products are ideal for the natural countryside, food production, waterways, forestry, and farmland, our specific range includes coolants, chain oils, hydraulic oils, two stroke, wire rope lubricant and other general multi-purpose products. Many industries such as agriculture, marine, horticulture, plant / off highway, and renewable energy companies, are already experiencing the benefits of this change. We also offer a range of low-toxic paints and coatings which are ideal for your business and home.

3. Low Impact Packaging

Our plastic lubricant containers are now made from a minimum of 30% recycled materials. This is another significant achievement. We also have a recycling scheme for all our 200 litre metal barrels. Other examples of how we have adopted a ‘greener’ approach for packaging, include: using reconditioned pallets, bulk storage containers and constantly measuring the amount of packaging used within our business by using our specialised packaging waste dashboard.

4. Unique Safe And Clean Oil Storage Solutions

Lubricants needs to be kept safe and stored correctly, not only because it is the law, but also because it provides a safer working condition. As part of our service, we supply a range of specialist bulk storage tanks for workshops. Your lubricants are filled up in the colour coded tanks as required, and the tanks have sight gauges, taps or pumps and come labelled with the different product names and their application. Simple, clean, and easy to use, these tanks help keep your working space tidy, safe and they avoid spills from containers. They can avoid oil contamination and improve the environment by using less packaging. They finally provide important health & safety requirements for lubricant storage and with good maintenance the tanks will last for up to 50+ years.

Click here to download the brochure about Witham as a sustainable choice.