We were approached in 2012 by BikeRight!, an organisation dedicated to promoting and encouraging cycling in Merseyside and beyond. BikeRight! offered us the funding to purchase an eight bike cycle shed, designed and manufactured locally. The shed was ordered in November 2012 and installed in December. It is designed with security in mind, as this was seen to be a barrier to staff cycling to work. It features two large lockable doors and a tough polycarbonate shell, designed to keep both the weather and would-be thieves out!

From left: Jo Somerset, director of BikeRight!, Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, and Chris Benson

Managing Director, Chris Benson said
“As a key local employer with a strong interest in environmental issues, we are keen to be part of any initiative that is of benefit to our staff and the environment. It's early days for the programme but it dovetails nicely with our existing tax-free cycle to work scheme, where staff can buy tax-free bicycles to commute.”

Funding for the shelter was provided by BikeRight!, Merseytravel and Liverpool City Council

At Benson Signs we have been providing staff with financial support for the purchase of new bikes for a number of years, via the Tax Free Cycle programme and our supplier Cycle Surgery, which has resulted in many new bikes being purchased. This has a real benefit to staff, as it not only encourages staff to increase their general fitness outside of work, but also by cycling to work.

For further information, please feel free to contact Graham Barker, Environmental Coordinator or Chris Benson, Managing Director on 0151 298 1567.

We have long pioneered the benefits of LED’s in signage; however our embracing of these bright little wonders does not stop at our manufactured products.

In addition to the rolling programme of replacing existing fluorescents with our own in-house built LED units we have carried out a replacement programme of all our external lighting.  This involved removing all Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium floodlights and replacing with bright LED floodlights.

This will have a number of benefits including extending the lifespan of the units and reducing energy consumption by over 18,000 kwh per year. This will have a significant impact on our bills, by saving us over £1500 per year!  In addition, our Carbon Footprint is reduced by nearly 10 tonnes per year.

Furthermore, the £1850 (+vat) cost of the floodlights will be recouped after just over a year of operation.

Just one more step on our continuing journey of environmental improvements.

If you would like to speak to somebody regarding the benefits of LED, please feel free to contact Graham Barker, Environmental Coordinator on 0151 482 5911.

Since 2002 Benson Signs have been leading the way in the use of LEDs in illuminated signage, our first project being an external sign for an apartment complex at 21 Knightsbridge, London.

LED has really taken off over the last 5 years, especially with our major clients, and is now the first choice of illumination for the majority of our signage.

From our own tests and like-for-like comparisons LEDs are up to 84% more efficient in energy consumption than standard fluorescent tubes.

To date we have manufactured and installed signs for over 650 projects that have utilised LED technology which, when compared to traditional fluorescent tube and neon lighting, has saved a minimum of £123,000 in electricity charges and 536 tonnes of CO2 per year for our customers. Cumulatively, cost savings from electricity bills since 2009 total over £205,000 and CO2 savings add up to over 900 tonnes.

It doesn't stop there, the expected service life of an LED is around 10 years whereas a fluorescent tube can be as little as 2 years. Furthermore, each time a fluorescent tube or neon sign requires replacing, harmful and hazardous wastes are generated, raw materials are depleted, and fuel is consumed by our service crews travelling the length and breadth of the country. So, not only do LEDs dramatically cut down servicing costs for our customers but also benefit the environment.

Quite a significant achievement we think, and one that we shall continue to improve upon with every sign we manufacture.

If you would like to speak to somebody regarding the benefits of LED signage, please feel free to contact one of our Sales Team on 0151 298 1567, or Graham Barker, Environmental Coordinator on 0151 482 5911.

An LED sign being installed at Liverpool John Moores University

An LED sign for Hugh Baird College being tested in our workshops

In March 2012 we successfully completed the installation of our rainwater harvesting system, whereby we collect rainwater from our factory roof and store it in five 700 litre tanks for use in our toilet and washing facilities.  
We designed this system in-house having purchased the tanks from Merseyside supplier Combined Harvesters.
To date we have seen a 9.2% reduction in mains supply water consumption, or 8239 litres of water, based on a direct comparison with the previous period of use.
At present the system only supplies part of the factory but there is scope to increase the supply to other processes and other toilets. We are considering this for further improvement.

Our rainwater harvesting installation.