We’re incredibly proud to share that Penny Engineering has been officially recognised as the “Green Business of the Year” at the East Midlands Chamber Business Awards.
As part of the Penny Engineering group, everyone here at Sidetracker is thrilled by this milestone. The award celebrates a deeply rooted, shared commitment to eco-conscious manufacturing and low-carbon operations across the region.
Driven by Shared Environmental Values
This award highlights what can be achieved when engineering excellence and environmental responsibility work hand in hand. Across our combined operations, sustainability isn’t treated as a side project; it’s a core value that dictates how we design, build, and support every single product leaving our facilities.
Robin Penny, Chairman at Penny Engineering, has always challenged the business to seek better, cleaner ways of working. Reflecting on the award win, he noted:
“Sustainability can never be one person’s job; it has to run throughout the business to have any real impact. This is a great achievement by the whole team. We don’t do anything exceptional; we simply look, learn and make informed decisions, with marvellous support from the Chamber.”
How We’re Redefining Sustainable Manufacturing
At the Sidetracker and Penny Engineering site in Derbyshire, we take a whole-business approach to sustainability. Currently, our shared infrastructure saves over 600 tonnes of CO₂ annually and generates approximately 325 MWh of clean energy through our rooftop solar panels. First implemented back in 2014, these solar panels now generate roughly half of the electricity required on-site, with any excess fed straight back into the national grid.
Our collective green strategy relies on several key pillars:
- Zero-Landfill Policy – A strict policy ensuring operational waste is diverted away from landfills through a focus on reuse and recycling.
- Responsible Supply Chains – Collaborating closely with partners who mirror our values and selecting eco-conscious materials across product lifecycles.
- Energy-Efficient Operations – Using efficient insulation, heating, equipment, and lighting to reduce energy use without compromising production quality.
- Solar-Powered Fleet – Charging our company electric vehicles (EVs) using the clean, renewable energy captured right on our roof.
- ISO 14001 Certification – Holding this international standard validates that we maintain a high-quality system for managing and reducing our environmental footprint.
Net Zero Goals – As active members of the SME Climate Hub, we are working hard toward a target of net-zero emissions by 2030.
Built to Last: The Sidetracker Sustainability Approach
At Sidetracker, we directly apply eco-conscious principles to our specialised range of made-to-order multi-directional forklift trucks and material handling equipment. Our core philosophy is simple: building exceptional longevity into our equipment inherently reduces its carbon footprint.
- Our multi-directional trucks operate in narrow aisles, helping you maximise existing warehouse and site space without expanding your physical footprint.
- A single 360° side-loading forklift can cover all your handling needs, lifting up to 8,000kg, reaching up to 13m, and managing loads up to 18m wide.
- Every forklift truck we build is 100% battery-powered, keeping your busy facility air clean and emissions-free.
- We support our robust trucks indefinitely, offering upgrades to the latest technology and full reconditioning instead of replacing.
- By repairing parts and rebuilding trucks instead of scrapping them, we save you money and drastically reduce raw material waste.
Sam Dobson, General Manager at Sidetracker, explains how these choices impact both the planet and our clients:
“Our ongoing efforts have delivered a significant reduction in our carbon footprint and our reliance on fossil fuels. Sustainably keeping our costs down also allows us to provide better value and forward-thinking material handling solutions for our customers, helping them reduce the carbon footprint of their own supply chains.”
Being recognised by the East Midlands Chamber is a proud moment for our team, not just as a business but as people who care deeply about the future we’re building together.
Celebrating Business Excellence with the East Midlands Chamber
The East Midlands Chamber connects, champions, and supports local businesses across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire. Securing the Green Business of the Year title for our region is a massive honour for the whole organisational family.
Ashley Holmes, Financial Director at Penny Engineering, shared his excitement about what this recognition means for our collective future:
“We are absolutely delighted to have received the Green Business of the Year Award. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and passion of our entire team, who continually strive to make sustainability a core part of everything we do. Being recognised in this way really motivates us to keep pushing for even greater positive change, both within our company and in the wider community. We hope our efforts inspire others to take bold steps toward a greener future as well.”
Looking Ahead to 2030 and Beyond
Real change requires action rather than words, and this award serves as a powerful motivation to keep innovating. Moving forward, we will continue to refine our manufacturing processes, minimise our reliance on fossil fuels, and keep our eyes firmly set on the 2030 net-zero horizon to protect our planet for the next generation.
We want to prove to the material handling industry that high-capacity production can coexist perfectly with environmental stewardship. If you’re looking for innovative lifting and handling solutions that actively protect the planet while optimising your space, operations, and safety, our team is always happy to help.