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Timber Frame firm gives Wales Community Award back to residents
Added: (Wed Jul 27 2005)
MONMOUTHSHIRE-BASED timber frame building firm Benfield ATT has hosted a tree planting ceremony at Caldicot Castle Country Park to mark its success at this year's Business in the Community Wales Awards for Excellence.
One of only seven Welsh companies recognised at the prestigious event in Cardiff last month, Benfield ATT was presented the regional Impact on Society for a Small Company award for the second year running.
Having been awarded a Big Tick - the awards endorsement - for its commitment to corporate responsibility, staff from Benfield ATT's Head Office team in Caldicot attended the ceremony where a Beech sapling - part of the award and a symbol of growth and prosperity - was planted.
Pride in the achievement was evident in both winning the award and being able to share it with the local community. "We are delighted that this small tree accompanies our second 'Big Tick' Award - not only does it recognise our Passion for Timber, it also signifies our long-standing commitment to local communities wherever we build, both in the UK and overseas." said MD Michael Benfield, also Visiting Professor of Civil & Construction Engineering at University of Wales, Newport.
"For millennia humankind has enjoyed an empathetic relationship with trees and timber. Today, it is our privilege to help renew that connection, as society increasingly rediscovers the strength, beauty and joy of engineered timber structures. By the hallowed walls of this Castle, we dedicate this tree to the community of Caldicot, their descendants and friends for centuries to come" continued Professor Benfield.
Peter Williams, Director of Business in the Community Wales said: "Responsible businesses, like Benfield ATT, really understand the links between competitiveness and social cohesion. They are demonstrating a commitment to collaborative action with real benefits for their businesses - it's much more than improving the company's image of writing a cheque for a good cause."
Alyson Ayland, Communications Manager for Monmouth County Council said "We're really pleased that a local firm like Benfield ATT has been able to bring such a prestigious Award to our region, the team must be very proud'.
The team unanimously chose Caldicot Castle as the area to plant the Award. The Castle's ability to shape the Caldicot community over the years has not been forgotten by them. Indeed, the Award is just metres away from where the famous 3,500 year-old (Bronze Age) timber shipping vessel was found in 1990, now in storage with the York Archaeologist Trust.
Benfield ATT's 2005 'Big Tick' represents years of hard investment and broad-minded thinking by the Directors and staff, who have achieved a lot in a short space of time - by national standards. In the last two years alone, Benfield ATT has adopted Quality Management Assurance (the first time in the industry), ethical timber sourcing Chain of Custody from the Forestry Stewardship Council (again, a first in the industry), become certified Investors in People (one of only 2 in the industry) and are receiving an outstanding number of visitors to their informative website.
Benfield ATT continue to be the only winner in Wales of the Impact on Society for a Small Company award.
End of Story
MORE INFORMATION:
Story and Image available to download at
http://www.benfieldatt.co.uk/media/press_releases/timber_frame_firm_gives_wales_community_award_back_to_residents_26_07_2005
Alternatively, please contact
- Benfield ATT
Kelvin Godhard, Benfield ATT Corporate Communications Department.
Visit website - www.benfieldatt.co.uk/media, Tel 01291 437050 or email (kelving@benfieldatt.co.uk) to receive a digital version and imagery.
- Business in the Community
Petra Barry, PR & Communications Manager.
Visit website - www.bitc.org.uk/awards, Tel 029 20436913 or petra.barry@bitc.org.uk