Rolls-Royce signs up to MOD Green Charter

Wednesday, 10 December 2008

Rolls-Royce has signed up to a new UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) charter which aims to increase awareness of environmental issues within the Group’s supply chain.

The Sustainable Procurement Charter is a declaration by Rolls-Royce and the MOD of their commitment to work actively to develop and follow sustainable procurement principles into both acquisition and support activities.

Rolls-Royce Managing Director – Defence Aerospace, Martin Fausset signed the Charter on behalf of the Group.

Martin said: “As a result of the investments that Rolls-Royce has made our manufacturing facilities operate at world-class levels of environmental performance. We have a programme of continuous improvement in place to strengthen this and we encourage our supply chain to do likewise. The signing of this Charter reinforces our commitment to improve the way we design, manufacture and support our products.”

Tim Flesher, the MOD's Sustainable Procurement Champion and co-signatory with Martin Fausset on the Charter said:

"I am very much aware of the innovative approach which Rolls-Royce takes to sustainability issues so our signature of this charter with its joint commitment to work together is doubly significant."

The UK MOD plans to sign agreements with all of its key suppliers.

The Rolls-Royce site in Bristol is playing a key role in the £95 million Environmentally Friendly Engine (EFE) programme, an aero engine technology demonstration programme that will validate new technologies aimed at reducing noise, fuel burn and emissions. The engine demonstrator will be assembled at the Patchway site, where it will undergo a series of test runs in a converted test facility.

Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
The Group has a broad customer base comprising more than 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in nearly 120 countries. It employs around 38,800 people worldwide people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in 50 countries and has businesses headquartered in the UK, US, Canada, Germany, Scandinavia and China. This global presence allows the Group to access long-term international growth opportunities with its technology, presence, partnerships and people.
Rolls-Royce continues to invest in core technologies, products, people and capabilities with the objective of broadening and strengthening the product portfolio, improving efficiency and enhancing the environmental performance of its products. These investments create high barriers to entry.
Each year, in collaboration with its partners, Rolls-Royce invests over £800 million on research and development, two thirds of which has the objective of further improving the environmental aspects of its products. The primary technology investment area is aimed at reducing noise and emissions.
Annual sales were £7.4 billion in 2007, of which 55 per cent came from services revenues. The firm and announced order book at the end of 2007 stood at £45.9 billion, of which aftermarket services represent 30 per cent, providing visibility of future levels of activity.

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