Richard Hagan named Business Leader of the Year by green business champions edie

Posted by on 19 Apr 2022

A Rochdale businessman has been named Business Leader of the Year in the edie sustainability leaders award, the UK’s largest and most prestigious celebration of green business.

Richard Hagan, founder and managing director of Crystal Doors, a manufacturer of vinyl wrapped doors and accessories, won the award in a category that recognises “the inspiring leaders who are walking the walk on sustainability and driving the CSR agenda forward.”

The accolade is in recognition of Crystal Doors’ decade-long commitment towards creating a more sustainable manufacturing process. That commitment has seen the business reduce carbon emissions by more than 75% in just seven years, and cut energy use in half since 2015, despite significant growth. The company’s premises have an EPC rating of A+.

These dramatic results have been achieved in a number of creative ways. For example, in 2016 the business installed a biomass boiler which uses the waste from the manufacturing process to provide heat and water for its factory and offices. In addition, a state-of-the-art dust extraction system has slashed energy use while ensuring no MDF dust ends up in the Rochdale Canal.

Just as importantly, Richard and the team at Crystal Doors have shown that sustainability and successful business can go hand in hand. Since beginning the journey towards sustainability, the firm’s turnover has quadrupled.

Richard says: “I’m delighted to get the award but really it’s for the whole team at Crystal Doors. We’re all pushing in the same direction to create a business that is both successful and sustainable. What’s happening more and more is that big businesses want us as part of their supply chains, because they have their own environmental targets to meet. For us, going green has been a win-win.”

This is far from the first time the company has been recognised for sustainability. Last year the business was proud to receive the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development. Richard is also an important ambassador for the cause of sustainable manufacturing, spreading the word through articles, presentations and personal engagements.

Paul Ormerod Chair of Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), says: “This is yet another fantastic award for one of Rochdale’s most forward-thinking businesses. Richard is a great ambassador for sustainable manufacturing, and for business in our Borough. Like the Queen’s Award before it, the recognition from edie is thoroughly deserved.”

The RDA has supported Crystal Doors since its foundation, helping the business find property and access funding.