Food firm in Wales goes green

Vin Sullivan Foods, which supplies high quality, fine and exotic foods and is famous for products such as Welsh lamb, Welsh Black Beef and expertly prepared fresh fish, has just finished expanding the capacity of its food distribution centre and shop on the Gilchrist Thomas Estate with the help of grant aid from the Welsh Assembly Government. Following the latest increase in production capacity, the company can now supply more than 6,000 different lines of speciality products on a next-day-delivery schedule to nearly everywhere in Britain. To improve insulation, the building has now been lined with wood and ventilation, all lighting has been converted to low energy systems, and hot water being generated by refrigeration systems is now recycled to provide under floor heating. In addition, all of the large amounts of polystyrene packaging in which fish and other products are delivered to the company is now recycled. All of the offal produced by fresh fish preparation is composted and even broken wooden pallets are now carefully collected and sent to the Blaenafon Steam railway for use as fuel. Managing director John Sullivan said: "Because our expansion plan, which took the number of people we employ to 22, meant reorganising and improving the layout of our building, we decided it was a good opportunity for a wholesale improvement of our environmental and sustainability profile. "I've no doubt that the changes we've made will make an impact on energy bills and on our competitiveness. But the immediate impact has been on our staff, many of whom have been with us for well over 20 years.