Cumbria Chamber welcomes Leo Group as Chamber Patron
Cumbria Chamber is thrilled to welcome leading animal by-product and renewable energy specialist Leo Group as a Chamber Patron. Leo Group is the latest business to join as a Patron since the new membership band was launched in April this year.
As a Patron, Leo Group will be actively supporting the work of the Chamber over the coming year, including sponsorship of initiatives such as Conference Cumbria in October as well as the Chamber’s online employee wellbeing portal, which provides health and wellbeing advice to staff at hundreds of Chamber member businesses.
Leo Group’s site in Penrith (Omega Proteins) has been operating in Penrith since 2002 and now employs more than 180 people.
Omega Proteins processes animal by-products, previously classed as waste material, from the food industry into oils and meals which are then used predominantly in pet food, animal and aqua feed, but also in fertilisers, sustainable aviation fuel, biofuels, renewable energy, oleochemicals and pharmaceuticals. The material processed is Category 3 material, i.e., parts of animals that have been passed fit for human consumption in a slaughterhouse but are not intended for this purpose.
As part of the process for acceptance as a Patron, members of the Chamber team went on a visit to Omega Proteins with the aim of understanding their business operation and approach, including corporate social responsibility (CSR) and approach to the environment.
The group was met by the owner of Leo Group Danny Sawrij, who gave a presentation on the business’s journey from a small firm started by Danny’s father into a multinational corporation operating in a range of different sectors, and director Manjit Singh.
Danny also covered Leo Group’s CSR work, which involves supporting various local causes including Penrith Christmas Lights, Penrith AFC and the Winter Droving.
After the talk, the group then put on wellies and overalls in preparation for a tour of the site, which started with the rendering facilities as well as the new meal loading building, currently under construction, which will offer improved conditions for workers and additional odour abatement benefits.
Danny and Manjit were proud to show off the various green technologies in place at the site including the effluent plant and all water treatment on site which recycle all of the facility’s wastewater and rainwater meaning that the site no longer relies on mains water.
The group also saw the biofilters and thermal oxidisers which are used for treating vapour and air from the rendering process and from the buildings and equipment.
One of the oxidisers, the multi-fuel thermal oxidiser, is run on biomass fuel and uses steam to create electricity which is fed back into the site, reducing the onsite electricity requirement. This consumption is to be further reduced by solar panels, with planning permission granted to construct a new solar farm beside the facility.
Head of Commercial and Business Growth at Cumbria Chamber, Eve Halliday, said:
“We’re delighted to have another Chamber Patron supporting the business community in Cumbria. Leo Group’s interesting track record of innovation, clear focus on sustainable business practices and dedication to their local community, resonate deeply with the Chamber’s mission to encourage best practices and foster collaboration between businesses.”
Danny Sawrij commented:
“Joining Cumbria Chamber of Commerce as a Chamber Patron was a natural fit for us as it gives us the opportunity to increase our visibility and awareness of our business in the region. At the same time, as a larger company, we can support smaller local businesses and give something back to the community. This is in line with our commitment to CSR and is firmly anchored in our corporate policies.”
Click here to find out more about becoming a Chamber Patron.
© Cumbria Chamber of Commerce