JJO strikes gold and becomes national champion

Date published: 23 November 2009

Kitchen, bedroom and bathroom manufacturer JJOplc has been crowned a national environment champion after scooping first prize at a green award ceremony.

The Bacup-based firm won the prestigious Gold Green Apple Award in recognition of their Environmental campaign – Waste Minimisation and Energy Efficiency.

JJO’s Managing Director Stephen Greenhalgh says: “We are delighted to win such a prestigious award as we’ve worked tirelessly to improve the way we do things. We have constantly sought to identify the areas where we can make a difference. The impact on our operation has been very positive and it has also helped the environment.

“All the staff have worked extremely hard but I’d like to say a special thank you to our health, safety and environment manager, James Casey who put the winning package together.”

The award-winning Green Apple Awards, run by the Green Organisation were held at the House of Commons in London and JJO was amongst 500 firms to be nominated this year.

Adds Stephen: “There were numerous large organisations at the awards ceremony, including Nissan, Fiat and Balfour Beatty so were are incredibly proud of the achievement.

“We will continue with our commitment to the environment. At the moment we are in the process of replacing the existing waste burning boiler with a larger more efficient model this will replace the use of gas heating throughout the whole of the Colonial House and Olive Mill Sites, further reducing our carbon footprint and fossil fuel usage..”

National organiser Roger Wolens commented: “JJO have shown continued interest in environmental issues during the current financial climate, which shows great foresight and they deserve the recognition of being Green Apple Award winners.

“Manufacturing Kitchen and bedroom furniture uses a lot of energy, wood and transport. JJO have made it their aim to be as efficient and sustainable as is practically feasible, and the results are impressive. All wood is sourced from sustainable forests, end of life recycling is designed into the products and even the delivery fleet is maintained and operated as efficiently as possible. These and a cupboard full of other measures ensure that JJO's business model is top drawer.”

The Green Awards are presented annually in recognition of companies, councils and communities carrying out projects that enhance environment. The ceremony was hosted by The Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP, and the presentations were made by star of screen and stage, former Bond Girl Alexandra Bastedo.

The Green Organisation is an independent, non-political, non-profit organisation that recognises, rewards and promotes environmental best practice around the world. It will be featured in the next Green Book, the world’s only work of reference on environmental best practice.

Their supporters include the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and various other professional bodies.


JJO makes around 700 kitchens a week while a new production line for bathrooms was launched in 2008. It has invested more than £7.5 million in new technology at its factories in recent years. The company is a corporate member of the KBSA (Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialist Association) and a supporter of FIRA (Furniture Industry Research Association).