JCT600 sets out to cut energy use and carbon footprint

The decision by JCT600 to roll out the programme across its 48 dealerships in Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and the North East follows a pilot scheme at Mercedes Benz in Sheffield, BMW in Bradford and Brooklands in Leeds.

The initiatives include energy awareness training for staff and the appointment of an “energy champion” at each site.

JCT600 will also install “smart” metering to monitor electricity and gas usage.

“Although we do not fall into the Government’s CRC energy efficiency scheme, we decided to form our own carbon reduction strategy,” said Mark Taylor, group property director at JCT600.

“As well as the well-publicised environmental benefits of saving energy, there should also be cost benefits making the business more efficient.

“It would be reasonable to expect that our initiative could save up to 20 per cent energy use which will go some way to offsetting the inevitable annual energy price increases.

“This programme has included a complete review of our overall usage for gas, electricity and water, following which we have formulated our own energy management strategy.

“In December, we invested £400,000 in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at our three most suitable dealerships as part of our commitment to renewable energy and this may well be extended to other dealerships.”

The Bradford-based JCT600 group dates from the 1940s. The company’s dealerships sells some of the world’s best known brands such as Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen.