This year, we’ve finished building our new, cutting-edge facility in Witney, Oxfordshire. This site is setting a new standard for world-class design and development in medical devices, and will become a leading center for automation and assembly, delivering a portfolio that drives long-term innovation. But we also made sure to factor in the site’s environmental credentials. As a certified B Corp, a member of the United Nations Global Compact, and a supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we’re deeply committed to sustainability, so naturally we wanted our new Witney building to reflect that.
During our sustainable planning phase, we made a donation to a local charity, the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE), as part of our responsible development process. By supporting this trusted organization, we helped launch a biodiversity enhancement project in the Oxfordshire region, and as a result, our site received a Biodiversity Net Gain agreement. The project involves creating new grasslands near Enstone, Oxfordshire. With our donation, TOE will return farmland to species-rich grassland using local seeds from a diverse meadow. By managing the project in a traditional way with low-intensity grazing and hay cuts, this long-term effort will secure a high-quality species-rich meadow for at least the next 30 years.
Creating species-rich grasslands and meadows is crucial for protecting biodiversity and keeping our ecosystems healthy. These diverse habitats support a wide variety of plants and animals, helping maintain ecological balance and resilience. Grasslands offer essential food and shelter for insects, birds, and mammals, and serve as important breeding and feeding grounds. The complex interactions among species in these habitats support pollination, nutrient cycling, and natural pest control – all of which benefit the environment and agriculture. Additionally, species-rich grasslands act as carbon sinks, playing a key part in fighting climate change by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Protecting these valuable ecosystems is vital for saving biodiversity, fighting climate change, and making sure we have a sustainable future for generations to come.
The landowner said:
“TOE and BNG have given me the chance to accomplish one of my environmental goals — turning an arable field back into species-rich grassland. It’s in the heart of our farm, but visible from the road, so it should provide a valuable habitat for wildlife as well as an enjoyable and beautiful spot for everyone passing by to enjoy.”
We’re excited to see our donation to TOE is going toward a truly impactful environmental enhancement project in our local area. As a global company, we’re committed to responsible business practices across all our markets – but because of our roots in Oxfordshire, supporting our local community is especially meaningful.