Ast announces expansion plans
Transport branding specialist Ast says it will significantly expand its Cumbrian headquarters, while also announcing that it has retained its carbon neutral status for another year.
Ast, which offers signage and commercial interior design services as well as transport branding, will expand its Penrith HQ with the addition of a CNC workshop – created using four repurposed shipping containers – and a new building to house its graphics fitting facility, all designed with sustainability in mind.
The company, which counts Amazon, Barclays, Culina and Malcolm Group as clients, became officially certified as carbon neutral in accordance with PAS2060 in 2023, and has retained this certification for another year, achieving a 17 per cent reduction in intensity as well as a 10 per cent reduction in absolute emissions over the last 12 months.
Over the course of the last year, it has increased the electric vehicles in its fleet and overhauled the way in which it processes and compacts waste to increase recycling efficiency – all contributing to the reductions.
Managing director Mark Aston said: “We’re very proud to be leading the way in our industry. We’re doing this in a genuine way – we’re still the only carbon neutral transport branding company in the UK. It’s not completely altruistic – it makes sound business sense, especially long term. Since we started to calculate and monitor our carbon footprint in 2011 we’ve reduced it year on year and our aim is to continue to do so until we’re Net Zero.
“This approach is serving us well and our clients value our carbon neutral status – which has led to us needing to expand our Cumbrian base.”
As well as its HQ in Cumbria, Ast has a base in Warrington and an application centre in Glasgow. It offers a nationwide service.
