Our award-winning run continues!
Following fast on the heels of recent award wins at the Energy Efficiency Awards (thanks to our renewable energy partner Perfect Sense Energy) and reaching the finalist stage for the Energy & Sustainability Award at the 2021 Make UK...
Carbon neutral is dead. Long live net zero (KBB Review)
Over the last year, ‘net zero’ has become the buzzword of choice in the fight against climate catastrophe. Terms like ‘carbon neutral’ are outdated – it’s not just carbon dioxide emissions we need to cut out, but all greenhouse...
Disadvantaged teens set for incredible adventure through Crystal-Doors-supported Animal Academy
Manchester’s teenagers are set to get hands-on experience with some of the world’s most rare and wonderful wildlife. Hopwood Hall College and University Centre is launching its Animal Academy, an exciting summer programme taking place at its campus in...
No pledge, no business: Welcome to the new normal (Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine)
This year, business has finally begun to embark upon the road to net zero emissions en masse. As the movement grows, sustainability will have to run through a business’s entire network. Demonstrating leadership will become a prerequisite for entering...
How independent retailers can leapfrog large business to zero carbon (KBB Review)
In preparation for COP26, the UN climate summit this November, our government has announced to the world that the UK is ‘on target’ and committed to net zero emissions by 2050…
How to join the race to net zero (KBB Review)
The race to net zero carbon emissions has been set by UK Government for 2050, but what does that mean for you and your business?…
How to become a sustainable manufacturing champion (The Manufacturer)
With the UK hosting the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November, sustainable manufacturing is in the spotlight and is becoming a priority for manufacturers. Our Community recently benefitted from an informative presentation by Richard Hagan, Managing Director, Crystal...
Sustainable customer relationships (KBB Review)
Following a year of lockdowns, online sales, and little personal shopping, our KBB market is enjoying a flood of consumers who have amassed £135 billion of savings that they are keen to spend improving home life or home working…
Who do you think you are? (Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine)
Money talks, or money makes the world go round, was a concept that wealth in money is success. I believed this economic model until I researched environmental impacts from my dust extraction plant being rejected for planning…
Green light for indies, red faces for sheds (KBB Review)
Sometimes we can fall into a trap of believing that large companies hold all the power. But when it comes to sustainability, I have found the opposite to be true…
Act Now, Why The Fuss? (Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine)
There are around six million businesses in the UK. Some are larger than others, but they all have an impact on the planet. If they are to remain relevant in the 2020s and beyond, every single one needs a...
Going green, mental health & career advice: Richard speaks to Unity Radio’s Next Gen Youths show
Customer Experience vs. Customer Service: Richard features on The Art of the Impossible podcast
Get ahead with Eco Labelling (KBB Review)
A new energy labelling system will be rolled out for electrical appliances in the UK and EU this month. Energy labels encourage us to consider the true lifetime cost of a product rather than just the price…
Wealth in nature was always our purpose in life and work (Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine)
I look back at the first tool being used by humans during the stone age and wonder how our tools today are incomprehensible to our ancestors only a few generations ago…
Lessons from the milk float (KBB Review)
In 1978, I spent the summer holidays in the seaside resort of Harlech. I remember being woken up every morning by a hand-rung bell announcing the daily milk delivery from an electric milk float. If it wasn’t for the...
Carbon Neutral: How Crystal Doors became a green pioneer (Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine)
It started with a proposal to install a biomass burner in 2015 Crystal Doors wanted to channel its wood waste into a sustainable heating solution. But the planners said ‘no’. They deemed the environmental impact to be too high…
A bespoke manufactured solution (Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine)
Ever since its inception in 1994, Crystal Doors has operated to lead the vinyl door market in terms of both innovation and quality…
How the KBB industry can lead the way on sustainability (KBB Review)
Every day my mind is fixed on ideas to improve my understanding and engage with others to address the climate emergency. This is not a typical business owner’s daily routine…
Unity Radio recording – What Richard defines as success
All companies be they global, local companies, even individuals, as David Attenborough mentioned on his film, it is critical that everybody takes a radical change as soon as possible. It is the youth that is going to experience the...
Richard explains how to build a sustainable business on KBB Podcast
Crystal Doors’ Managing Director was a guest on the KBB Magazine Podcast in November to discuss how suppliers and manufacturers can operate a sustainable business and still make a profit, regardless of your size. Our journey was described by...
Post-lockdown – No plan survives contact with the enemy: an interview with Richard Hagan
For many companies without deep pockets, they’re now finding their business model had no contingency planning, leaving them with the lack of ability to sustain a period of severe disruption. Today we are on the brink of an economic depression, allowing...
Made Smarter
Made Smarter is a Government project of £20m for North West companies to access funding, advice and support. At the launch in June 2019, Richard was invited to present to the Press from a SME perspective that technology can...
FINSA on the couch with Richard
FINSA supply Crystal Doors with over 50% of the MDF to manufacture vinyl Doors. During the lockdown and NHS orders, FINSA were fully open delivering vital sheet material throughout the UK. Five loads were delivered for the NHS requirement,...
My journey to sustainability (KBB Review)
Last year, at The Manufacturer MX awards, Crystal Doors found itself a finalist alongside global brands such as BMW, Siemens and Airbus, as it was shortlisted in the Sustainable Manufacturing category. But I used to be a climate sceptic…
Richard at Crisis response Virtual Round table
Business lockdown has caused many economic stress factors, yet some business has been agile, seen opportunities and made resources available to succeed. Crystal Doors was very fortunate to have been offered the whole NHS requirement for overbed tops on...
Richard talks to the Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies
Following Richard’s talk on BBC radio, other reporters were keen to find out more. Minimum wage has increased beyond inflation, and skills and training are lacking in most low paid jobs. Crystal Doors has a wealth of opportunity to...
Richard talks about Industry 4.0
Richard has always shown a keen interest in technology, having a father who taught electronics, enjoying watching and playing with computers and gadgets. After gaining a degree in Food Manufacturing, the woodworking industry was lacking excitement. Today Richard is...
Richard talking to BBC radio live 5 about Brexit
Early January, Richard was invited to talk at Smithfield Wholesale market in Manchester to radio live 5 at 7:30am. The Director of communications from Price Waterhouse Cooper gave insight into the Governments Brexit plans, and Richard discussed what implications...