In the UK, under the direction of Manufacturing Director Tony Burston, a dedicated team of personnel set out in 1997 to write the systems and pursue the operational procedures which would ensure that Coates Electrographics and Coates Screen met with the demanding requirements set down in the Internationally recognised Standard.

Their first task was to assess all operations on the Midsomer Norton manufacturing site that could have an interaction with the environment, then to rank them in order of significance. From this a programme of environmental initiatives was drawn up and a system of continual improvement was implemented, in accordance with the company’s Environmental Policy. At the same time a series of seminars was undertaken to inform and train all employees in the implications and importance of accreditation to ISO 14001. Everyone on the Midsomer Norton site had to be aware of his or her role in this project, not only in the present but also in the long-term future. "The role of the individual is as important as the role of the company", said David Starkey, Quality Manager, "everyone has, and takes, responsibility at Coates".

Surrounded as they are by residential houses in Midsomer Norton, Coates have always endeavoured to provide a safe and healthy living environment for their neighbours as well as their staff. With a new Environmental Management System (EMS) they have found a tried and tested method by which they can measure the environmental impact of their operations and can assess improvements as they are implemented.

Coates are especially pleased to be among the first companies in their industry to achieve accreditation.

Coates Electrographics, Coates Screen and Coates Screen GmbH are members of the Coates Group of Companies, a major player in the TOTAL Chemical Products Division. Coates Electrographics operates in the electronics and non-impact printing markets world-wide. Coates Screen is a major world supplier of Screen printing Inks and materials, with a burgeoning business in Wide Format Digital Printing. Coates Screen GmbH manufactures and sells Screen inks and materials, Pad Printing inks, Digital Technology and Circuit products world-wide.

Coates Screen GmbH moved into a new, custom built factory costing 40 million DM in April 1997. This factory, located in Nuremburg, Germany, incorporates state of the art emission control costing more than 3 million DM.

In 1998, the Midsomer Norton site has seen the completion of a new £5 million plant for manufacturing electrostatic toners and the commissioning of further new plant to meet export led demand for its printed circuit board products.