Leading by example: Fox Thermal earns ISO 14001 certification for environmental stewardship

In a milestone achievement reflecting the growing emphasis on sustainability within the instrumentation industry, Fox Thermal has officially received ISO 14001 certification for its Environmental Management System (EMS). This recognition positions the company as a leader in responsible manufacturing and environmental stewardship, reinforcing its broader Planet Initiative, an internal program focused on embedding sustainable practices across operations.

Text and image by Fox Thermal

A framework for sustainability

ISO 14001 is the gold standard in environmental management systems worldwide. The certification provides a structured approach for organizations to reduce their environmental footprint, improve resource efficiency, and promote continual environmental improvement. For Fox Thermal, achieving this certification meant undergoing a comprehensive evaluation of its environmental policies, procedures, and operational impacts.

“By integrating sustainable practices into our operations and product designs, we strive to empower all employees, reduce waste, conserve resources, and lower our carbon footprint,” said Travis Sowards, director of sustainability at Fox Thermal. “We actively seek to create initiatives that make our production life cycles more environmentally sound, benefitting our customers, employees, and the communities in which we operate.”

Integrating sustainability into every layer

Fox Thermal’s approach to ISO 14001 implementation has been both rigorous and proactive. Among the key initiatives:

• Custom EMS design: A tailored Environmental Management System suited to the company’s low-risk operational profile ensures relevance and efficiency.
• Environmental risk mapping: Through an Environmental Aspects and Impact Register, the company systematically identifies, evaluates, and mitigates its environmental impacts.
• Employee engagement: Monthly walk-throughs and training sessions promote environmental awareness and compliance across all levels of the organization.
• Facility upgrades: Energy-efficient lighting and water-saving systems have been installed, aligning daily operations with sustainable practices.
• Advanced waste management: Fox Thermal has improved its handling of universal waste and its recycling efforts to minimize landfill use.

Continuous improvement at the core

ISO 14001 certification is not a one-time achievement. It requires ongoing audits and regular reviews to ensure sustained performance. Fox Thermal is committed to continuous improvement, considering feedback and evolving standards to further minimize its environmental impact.

“As a company committed to and based on science, it is only natural for us to aim for the highest standard of excellence in our Planet Initiative,” added Soward. “As we continue to grow, we are committed to investing in our people and innovative products that not only meet the highest standards of efficiency and performance but also minimize environmental impact.”

An industry-wide movement

Fox Thermal’s certification arrives at a pivotal time for the instrumentation sector, where sustainability is increasingly becoming a defining factor in product development, corporate responsibility, and customer expectations. As regulatory and market demands for greener operations grow, companies like Fox Thermal are proving that innovation and sustainability are not mutually exclusive but mutually reinforcing.

As the instrumentation community looks to the future, Fox Thermal stands as a compelling example of how rigorous environmental management can coexist with technical excellence and business success.