Amdega is First to Go Green with New Timbers

Darlington, United Kingdom, June 29, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Amdega, the oldest designer and manufacturer of conservatories in the world, has unveiled a new environmental policy as part of its plans for continued growth.

The company is the first in its sector to make the formal move from utilising traditionally sourced hardwoods to temperate American (and other) hardwoods, North American Douglas Fir and high grade European engineered timbers selected especially for Amdega from some of the best sawmills currently in production. All timbers used in Amdega’s Darlington-based workshops are sourced from (*FSC, **PEFC or other renewable, farmed and managed sources with proven provenance) ethical, reliable suppliers. Waste materials including sawdust, off-cuts, paper, glass and metal are all being recycled, and the company is seeing a 40% reduction in overall waste, even the timber treatment solution to be used to enhance the timbers protection and durability is long term bio-degradable.

Amdega only uses timber from managed sources to ensure that both the environment and indigenous species are protected. American Tulipwood is used mainly as an internal component across Amdega’s product range and provides an excellent cosmetic finish which is suitable for being polished or painted.

Engineered timbers offer stability, structural integrity, an increased product lifespan and excellent performance in challenging environments. More expensive to purchase, engineered timber products produce less waste and ensure the efficient use of timber, making them ideally suited to Amdega’s environmental ethos.

Amdega actively offers and promotes to clients some of the highest specification glass available in today’s market place, including Argon filled SGG Climaplus Comfort+ double glazing units. The glass in these DGU’s is self cleaning, with a subtle tint to reduce glare from the sun and engineered to exacting thermal insulation standards with superior heat retention (heat insulation is over twice as good as normal glass) in the winter and keeping excessive heat out of the conservatory in the summer months, thereby minimizing the environmental effects and the carbon footprint.

Additional plant and equipment is currently being commissioned to facilitate this change with start of production scheduled for July 2008.

Paul Cruddace, Amdega’s International Design Director, said; “The Amdega name is always associated with the highest standards of quality and if we want to continue growing the business in an ethical manner, it is imperative we set out our manufacturing stall to be sympathetic to the environment. We will always continue to innovate and we are delighted to be the first conservatory manufacturer to formally commit to using high quality timber alternatives in place of traditional hardwoods.”

Due to the integrity and durability of these new timbers, Amdega is now able to increase its structural warranty on all its products from 10 years to 15 years. The extended warranty serves to reinforce the exceptional quality of the timbers which Amdega has moved to.

Customers who are currently progressing orders with Amdega will have the option, depending on the stage which their commission has reached, to change from traditional hardwood to the alternative timbers now available.

Amdega was launched in 1874 and employs some 350 people in the UK, with the majority based at its workshops in Darlington. The company also has representatives in 15 countries worldwide. Annual turnover, which includes a significant proportion of international trade, reached £29 million in 2007.

The company is a byword for excellence in design and quality across its range of traditional and contemporary conservatories, orangeries, summerhouses and pool houses. All commissions are individually designed to suit the specific needs and lifestyles of each customer.

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