One of only seven Welsh companies recognised at the prestigious event in Cardiff last month, Benfield ATT was presented the regional Impact on Society for a Small Company award for the second year running.

Having been awarded a Big Tick – the awards endorsement – for its commitment to corporate responsibility, staff from Benfield ATT’s Head Office team in Caldicot attended the ceremony where a Beech sapling – part of the award and a symbol of growth and prosperity – was planted.

Pride in the achievement was evident in both winning the award and being able to share it with the local community. “We are delighted that this small tree accompanies our second ‘Big Tick’ Award – not only does it recognise our Passion for Timber, it also signifies our long-standing commitment to local communities wherever we build, both in the UK and overseas.� said MD Michael Benfield, also Visiting Professor of Civil & Construction Engineering at University of Wales, Newport.

“For millennia humankind has enjoyed an empathetic relationship with trees and timber. Today, it is our privilege to help renew that connection, as society increasingly rediscovers the strength, beauty and joy of engineered timber structures. Be it houses or schools, bridges or monuments, our community of craftsmen are proud to design, manufacture and deliver truly long-lasting, sustainable wealth as a treasure for the enjoyment and well-being of future-generations.

"By the hallowed walls of this Castle, we dedicate this tree to the community of Caldicot, their descendants and friends for centuries to come, whichever part of Gaia's earth they inhabit� continued Professor Benfield.

Peter Williams, Director of Business in the Community Wales said: “Responsible businesses, like Benfield ATT, really understand the links between competitiveness and social cohesion. They are demonstrating a commitment to collaborative action with real benefits for their businesses – it’s much more than improving the company’s image of writing a cheque for a good cause.�

Alyson Ayland, Communications Manager for Monmouth County Council said “We’re really pleased that a local firm like Benfield ATT has been able to bring such a prestigious Award to our region, the team must be very proud’.

The team unanimously chose Caldicot Castle as the area to plant the Award. The Castle’s ability to shape the Caldicot community over the years has not been forgotten by them. Indeed, the Award is just metres away from where the famous 3,500 year-old (Bronze Age) timber shipping vessel was found in 1990, now in storage with the York Archaeologist Trust.

Benfield ATT’s 2005 ‘Big Tick’ represents years of hard investment and broad-minded thinking by the Directors and staff, who have achieved a lot in a short space of time – by national standards. In the last two years alone, Benfield ATT has adopted Quality Management Assurance (the first time in the industry), ethical timber sourcing Chain of Custody from the Forestry Stewardship Council (again, a first in the industry), become certified Investors in People (one of only 2 in the industry) and are receiving an outstanding number of visitors to their informative website.

Benfield ATT continue to be the only winner in Wales of the Impact on Society for a Small Company award.

For more information, please contact:

• Benfield ATT
  Privately-owned, Benfield ATT are one of the UK’s leading timber frame manufacturers to specialise in bespoke private, commercial and public-sector build projects. The firm’s high-profile MD Professor Michael Benfield built some of the UK’s first timber frame homes back in the late 1960’s and has continued to win award-after-award ever since.
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  Contact Kelvin Godhard in Benfield ATT’s Corporate Communications Department
  Visit website – www.benfieldatt.co.uk/media
  01291 437050 or kelving@benfieldatt.co.uk
  
  
• Business in the Community
  Business in the Community’s Awards for Excellence recognise and celebrate the positive impact of business in society through community programmes and business practices. These awards are the most prestigious and influential for corporate responsibility, recognised in the UK and internationally.
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  Contact Petra Barry, PR & Communications Manager, Business in the Community
  Visit website – www.bitc.org.uk/awards
  029 20436913 or petra.barry@bitc.org.uk

Press Release distributed: 26 July 2005. Click below to view on news sites.

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