Oxdale Products Limited

Oxdale Products Ltd is a manufacturer and distributor of forestry and grassland management and agricultural equipment.  Established in 2008 by the current director, the company is based in Chesterfield and supplies products throughout the UK. 

The company has expanded it’s offering over the years, adding a powder-coating plant and more recently a laser cutting facility. 

Why engage with the Green Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP)?

When Oxdale first applied to GEP in 2023, they needed to take action to reduce their carbon footprint and the installation of a solar PV system on the roof of the Laser Shop was the first logical step as this department had the highest power consumption across the organisation. The green energy generation from the solar PV system will reduce the company’s carbon emissions by over 1 ton of CO2e per annum, with excess generation being exported back to the grid.

Oxdale aims to become carbon neutral within ten years. Whilst this is not only good environmental practice, it will also make a sustainable contribution to limiting and reducing business costs.  The investment in solar panels demonstrates to both its workforce and customers that it is taking all practical steps to minimise not only costs but also its carbon footprint.

What has been the impact of GEP?

Without an offer of GEP funding support, Oxdale would have been unable to proceed with the project until the current economic situation had become more stable, potentially meaning a delay of two or more years.  

Following this decarbonisation intervention Oxdale were keen to continue their path to net zero carbon through the installation of their own nitrogen generation facility. Laser cutting uses significant volumes of nitrogen gas, which was supplied to the company in the form of liquid nitrogen, at high cost and environmental footprint. Having undertaken market research to identify the best solution for their needs, in 2024, the company applied and were successful in securing a second GEP grant towards the purchase of their own nitrogen generator.

The installation of its own high-capacity nitrogen generator will not only eliminate the necessity for frequent deliveries, cutting out the embedded CO2 in liquid nitrogen and transport associated emissions, it will enable Oxdale to generate their own nitrogen on demand and simplify their logistics planning.