In keeping with the environmental ethos of EMERGE, HMG supplied 100 litres of its eco-friendly, low emission, transport coatings free of charge, as well as carrying out the vehicle preparation and spray painting at its Collyhurst headquarters. The Manchester paintmaker, which has a strong environmental track record regarding the application of its coatings and the management of its production site, will also discuss future sustainable manufacturing and recycling initiatives with EMERGE.
The personal link between the surface coatings producer and the recycling enterprise was provided by Peter Davys of Orrest Business Solutions, who first trained for his apprenticeship with HMG Paints and is now on the board of trustees at EMERGE, responsible mainly for marketing. A respected figure in the coatings industry for more than 30 years, Peter has contributed significantly toward the training of technical people through his involvement with Proskills and the British Coatings Federation, for which HMG Managing Director, John Falder, chairs the Vehicle Refinish Group.
Originally formed as a voluntary organisation in 1996, EMERGE’s mission is to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of Manchester’s local communities, through its operational and educational activities. It delivers a range of different refuse collection services to businesses across Greater Manchester, including daily kerbside provisions in the city centre, and is the leading provider of recycling facilities to local schools.
EMERGE also works with schools and youth groups to provide educational resources on waste reduction and recycling, including trips to landfill sites and to its new ‘learning garden’ at New Smithfield Market. Coincidentally, HMG also works closely with local schools, allowing its waterside urban woodland project to be used as an outside classroom and learning resource for children.
For refinishing eight EMERGE waste collection vehicles, mostly fitted with wheelie bin tail-lift facilities, HMG used a low VOC, acrylic compliant coating, teamed with a polyurethane anti-corrosive primer, which together produce the ultimate gloss finish. The topcoat is in EMERGE’s characteristic bright green, with the colour specially mixed by hand to reduce the carbon output. The resulting finish will afford excellent protection against harsh weather conditions, atmospheric pollution, road dirt and grime, harsh cleaning agents and mechanical brush washes, maintaining the vehicle’s appearance for many years to come, despite arduous waste collection duties. As a gesture of thanks, the HMG Paints logo is to be incorporated into the laminated, wraparound promotional livery.
“As a paint manufacturer, we take sustainable production, waste disposal, material recycling and anti-pollution measures very seriously and have gained awards for our environmental initiatives,” says HMG Paints MD, John Falder. “We are delighted to support EMERGE in this practical manner and will be proud to have our name on their vehicles. We’ve always said our paints cover everything, now that includes rubbish!”
Enquiries to HMG Paints at Riverside Works, Collyhurst Road, Manchester M40 7RU, telephone 0161 205 7631, email sales@hmgpaint.com, www.hmgpaint.com
Peter Davys can be contacted at Orrest Business Solutions, Units E1-4 New Smithfield Market, Manchester M11 2WJ, telephone 0161 799 0592, email peterdavys@orrest.com