Founded in the heart of the United Kingdom, Sewtec Automation is a respected name in the field of industrial automation. Having just been commissioned to provide machinery for the illustrious Royal British Legion’s new plastic-free poppy, Business Support Director Mark Atkins and Head of Sales Andy Perks spoke with Richard Hagan about this landmark project, sustainability and Sewtec’s vision for the future.
Se wtec Automation has a robust and proven track record, having risen to prominence by consistently providing innovative and bespoke automation solutions. It has carved a unique niche for itself with its ability to design, manu facture, build, test, install and commission one-of-a-kind machinery
that meets specific needs not addressed by conventional automation technology. The company is highly flexible, according to Business Support Director Mark Atkins: “At Sewtec, every day is a learning day; we get the opportunity to create solutions that are bespoke and do not exist anywhere else. People come to us when other companies cannot achieve what is required.”
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
Sewtec Automation and Schneider Electric have a long relationship, which is partly down to both companies taking a proactive approach to sustainability. Sewtec’s work on the one-of-a-kind machinery for the important plastic-free poppy is a culmination of their technical expertise and our leading products, enabling both innovation and sustainability. This one project encapsulates the collective effort from both Schneider and Sewtec to reduce industry’s impact on the environment and create a clear path to Net Zero by 2050.
Rachel Whittington, OEM Sales Director, Schneider Electric.
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Sewtec prides itself on its technical expertise, knowledge of the automation industry and experience of a wide variety of industry sectors. Its solutions are deployed from an impressive 75,000 sqft state-of-the-art design and manufacturing facility in the UK.
Partnering for a green future
Sewtec’s commitment to environmental sustainability is notable. The company is determined to achieve net zero status by 2030 and has formalised this pledge by signing up to the UK Government-backed SME Climate Hub. “Sustainability is not just a buzzword to us,” said Mr Atkins: “We are committed to working in a way which
promotes the best sustainable practices across our manufacturing processes.”
To reduce its carbon footprint, Sewtec has adopted a multi-faceted approach. One such initiative is its commitment to retrofitting customer machines to increase efficiency and prevent them from becoming waste. The company boasts a proven record of modernising control systems, drives, motors and software, enabling old machines to run up to 50% more efficiently at a fraction of the cost of buying new.
“We understand how important sustainability is for any business, but especially in manufacturing,” Mr Atkins continued. “We pride ourselves on being an environmentally friendly organisation – from designing
efficient plastic-reducing packaging production machines to retrofitting machines to ensure they do not end up as waste.”
A significant aspect of Sewtec’s commitment to sustainability is its practice of sourcing locally to support the regional economy. By engaging local suppliers, Sewtec minimises the environmental impact on its community and supply chain. This approach underlines the company’s broader mission of being a responsible corporate entity, demonstrating a deep sense of commitment towards its community and the environment at large.
The plastic-free poppy Sewtec’s recent high-profile partnership with the Royal British Legion (RBL) exemplifies the ethos of combining
innovation and sustainability. Tasked with creating machinery to manufacture RBL’s new plastic-free version of its iconic poppy, Sewtec accepted the challenge with enthusiasm.
The new, sustainable poppy is made entirely from paper and can be recycled in ordinary paper recycling collections. It maintains the classic poppy design and leaf shape and can be fastened with a pin or inserted into a buttonhole. Stick-on versions of the poppy are also available. This unique endeavour was not straightforward, as no machines for this purpose existed in the world.
“The poppy machines have been an extremely challenging concept,” said Andy Perks, Head of Sales. “It has been a real privilege to work with such an iconic brand.”
Three bespoke machines were designed and built, one of which was specifically tailored to the Scottish poppy’s distinct design, and they are now producing the UK’s first plastic-free poppies in time for the Royal British Legion’s 2023 Poppy Appeal. “Everyone involved in the project was driven by th e same objective, and when you look at the final product, you cannot help but
be amazed by what we achieved through innovation and teamwork,” said Mr Perks.
Sustainability and growth
As Sewtec propels forward, it does so with an eye towards both innovation and sustainability. The company has a rich history o f maintaining the ISO 14001 standard fo r over a decade, providing a firm foundation
for its environmental ambitions. Its dedication to sustainability has earned Sewtec the gold status EcoVadis accreditation, a 5-star zero waste sustainability award, and nominations from Sedex (the world’s largest data platform for supply chain assessment) in the Technology and Innovation category.
This drive towards achieving net zero status by 2030 plays an integral role in shaping Sewtec’s future plans, as Mr Atkins explained: “To ensure we achieve this target, we will cut our carbon emissions in half by 2030. To reach net zero by 2050 means we have committed to putting no more carbon into the atmosphere than we are taking out of it.”
The excitement of innovation
Sewtec’s commitment to developing unique solutions for its clients is what fuels the passion of its workforce. The company thrives on the challenge of beginning each project from a blank canvas and crafting solutions that other automation companies might deem impossible.
“At Sewtec, every day is a learning day, ” said Mr Atkins. “We know our team of
engineers are best in class just by looking at some of the solutions we produce, which are operating at blue-chip sites around the globe.”
Indeed, the company’s history is as deep as its reach across Europe’s industrial sector is wide. “There probably isn’t a household in the UK that doesn’t have one or two products created by automa tion solutions that we designed and built, ” Mr Atkins proudly confirmed.
Sewtec Automation is more than a pioneering leader in industrial automation; it is a company committed to bettering the world through sustainabl e practices, innovative solutions and local engagement. Every day the team at Sewtec is driven to create unique solutions for unique challenges, making it a force to be reckoned with in the world of automation and sustainability.
The company’s passion for innovation, commitment to environmental responsibility and dedication to its customers and community sets it apart, and paves the way for a greener future.
