Andel, the UK’s leading developer of specialised leak detection, water sustainability, flood defence, and environmental protection systems, has achieved its goal of being net zero.
The Yorkshire SME, which specialises in leak detection systems to protect the built and natural environment, set the ambitious goal in 2020, saying it would significantly reduce carbon emissions within five years.
The manufacturer recently confirmed it has decreased its Carbon footprint by 38% over the past five years, whilst the business has grown by 100% in the same period.
The Barnsley-based business created a brand-new job role in 2022 to support its sustainability vision for the future.
Net Zero & Sustainability Co-ordinator, Joe Harris, said: “Some would say we’re trailblazing in our industry, but at times it has felt like stumbling about in the dark, trying to find a path that didn’t exist yet because so few have done it before us.
“However, we have proved it is possible, and now we are net zero through scopes one and two. We have sustainable procurement processes, electric vehicles, and continue to drive down our Carbon footprint in all areas, including installing a large solar system on the roof to accommodate all our current electricity with spare to increase business capacity.
“For any residual carbon that needed offsetting, we’ve looked to ‘inset’ as much as possible, which meant working with local organisations and the community to plant trees in the local area, supporting the local economy and engaging our employees in the process.”
Peter Double, Managing Director of Andel, said: “I’m so proud of what we have achieved as an SME. We made it work by making it clear from the outset that Joe had 100% buy-in from management at the highest level in Andel. He had to be able to ask questions, request information, and suggest changes, and it was seen as a help, not a hindrance. That was extremely important to make this a success.
“I’d like to see more businesses following our path. If more SMEs got on board, it would make the path easier for us all, and change would reach more parts of the UK workforce.
“According to recent Office for National Statistics data in the Leeds City Region, there were around 150,000 SMEs, accounting for around 600,000 employees. That’s a lot of people in Leeds who could make a difference, not counting the wider county and Yorkshire as a whole.”
Andel has more than 30 years of experience in leak detection, pollution prevention and flood defence and an impressive customer base that includes the Houses of Parliament, The Pentagon, Hong Kong International Airport and Google.
The team recently scooped the Manufacturing Innovation Award at Insider Media Made in Yorkshire Awards 2025 as well as the Sustainable/ Ethical Manufacturer award at Insider Media’s Made in Yorkshire Awards 2024, the Sustainable/ Ethical Manufacturing Award at Made in Sheffield 2024 and the Sustainability Award at the Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards 2023 plus had two entries into the Made in UK final awards.
