Jeld-Wen is set to relocate its Sheffield operations to a new purpose-built facility at Bessemer Park, designed to support lower-carbon manufacturing and improve the sustainability of its UK operations.
The move will bring the Sheffield site in line with the Company's Penrith facility, where targeted investment has already delivered measurable improvements in energy use, waste and water efficiency. Together, the sites will support a consistent, sustainability-led approach across Jeld-Wen's UK manufacturing footprint.
Future-proofed for net-zero operations, the new site boasts a ‘Very Good' BREEAM rating, as well as achieving EPC grade A, helping embed sustainability in the entire manufacturing process.
The building has been designed to reduce energy demand at source, with a supertight building envelope and enhanced glazing to minimise heat loss and air leakage. Solar PV panels covering 10% of the roof are expected to generate 90,084kWh per year, with the capacity to expand to full roof coverage in the future. In addition, 12% rooflight provision will increase natural daylight within the facility, reducing reliance on artificial lighting to lower energy consumption. Energy use will be further managed through intelligent LED lighting and sensors, alongside integrated energy and utility monitoring to support ongoing optimisation of building performance. Electricity for the site will be sourced from renewable energy.
Resource efficiency will be managed through an air source heating and cooling system to reduce energy demand, while an 8,000-litre underground rainwater storage tank will provide water for the main building's sanitary use, lowering potable water consumption.
Following suit from the Penrith factory, all forklift trucks at Bessmer Park will be electric. Both facilities also use a variable extraction system that reduces energy consumption by adjusting airflow when machinery is not in use. The system can either vent filtered air externally or run a closed loop back into the building during winter to prevent heat loss.
Understanding how its employees travel to work contributes to the sustainability of its operations. The new Jeld-Wen facility includes a 100% EVCP ready carpark, along with bike shelters and storage for employees.
"Sustainability was a key focus when looking to relocate our Sheffield facility," explained Dom Gaffey, Vice President and General Manager UK, France & Export, Jeld-Wen UK. "At Penrith, we've demonstrated how targeted changes to energy use, materials, and processes can deliver measurable results. Bessemer Park, Sheffield allows us to build on this from the outset, embedding greater efficiency across our UK portfolio."
