Let's Talk Concrete Actions for the Environment
Actions in Harmony with Our Convictions
With our employees, we have taken action.
MILLET translates its Sustainable Development project into action, with the pragmatism that has always defined its industrial vision. And with the humility that long-term enterprises require : 17 years of commitment, it’s both significant and just the beginning, the journey is long... These actions are numerous, ambitious, and impactful, like continuous progress, sometimes modest, sometimes exciting, always motivating...
Here are the most emplematic one.
ELIMINATE WASTE
- LA RÉCRAINWATER RECOVERY. The 360,000 liters of water collected each year are used for cleaning our truck fleet, sanitary purposes, and technical testing.
- PLANNET. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we have implemented a 5S action plan (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain): a workplace organization method inspired by Japanese industry expertise. Today, all production units and company departments are fully engaged in this continuous improvement process.
- RECYCLING. 100% of our PVC scraps and shavings are recycled, along with 80% of our production waste.
- THE ADOPTION OF LAMINATED AND FINGER-JOINTED WOOD PROFILES (LCA). This technique enables a 15% reduction in wood consumption.
OPTIMIZING THE TRANSPORTATION OF GOODS AND PEOPLE
- INTEGRATED LOGISTICS. Our truck fleet complies with Euro 5 & 6 standards, resulting in a 30% reduction in black smoke and particulate emissions, as well as lower carbon monoxide and toxic organic compound emissions.
- ALL OUR DRIVERS ARE TRAINED IN ECO-DRIVING. Freight accounts for 4 to 8% of greenhouse gas emissions, and this initiative helps reduce fuel consumption related to transportation.
DEVELOPING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CYCLE
- AN ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS DESIGN, resulting in less material used, glue-free assembly for better recycling, and the application of water-based products...
ELIMINATING ALL FORMS OF POLLUTION
- A 100% ECO-FRIENDLY MAINTENANCE KIT. Consisting mainly of an eco-friendly cleaner and a biodegradable multi-purpose lubricant, it allows for the maintenance of joinery while respecting the environment.
- CHROME VI-FREE HARDWARE. Since 2004, all the hardware we offer has met this requirement.
- HEAVY METAL-FREE PVC. Since 2003, we have exclusively used lead-free PVC, with stabilizers derived from calcium-zinc.
- REDUCED SILICONE USAGE for the sealing of our M3D windows, patio doors, and M3D.s sliding glass doors.
- A 100% NATURAL CLEANER. At our request, Body Nature, a local laboratory specializing in Sustainable and Fair Development, developed a 100% bio-based cleaner used to remove sealant residue from aluminum joinery. This new product is both human- and environmentally-friendly.
USING RENEWABLE ENERGIES
- BIOENERGY IN OUR BOILER. Our production units are heated using wood waste from our own manufacturing process, primarily offcuts and shavings. This results in an annual saving of 620,000 liters of fuel oil, with the additional goal of reducing overall energy consumption.
- OUR WOOD PRODUCTION UNIT (Beaulieu Sous Bressuire site) has certified its chain of custody under FSC-C113224 and PEFC/10-31-1290, depending on the wood species used.
- WOOD FROM RESPONSIBLY MANAGED FORESTS.
- WOOD SPECIES THAT REQUIRE NO CHEMICAL TREATMENT (IFH treatment: Insecticide, Fungicide, and Water Repellent).
- LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE WOOD SPECIES. Our goal is to anticipate wood supply needs while contributing to the development of the local economy.
- PARTNER IN APPLIED UNIVERSITY RESEARCH. We contribute to improving the renewal of commercial wood species in logging gaps in Gabon, by providing loggers with management methods to ensure the long-term production of exotic species. As part of this initiative, we fund the work of a Gabonese technician.
- A TREE REPLANTING PROGRAM IN MADAGASCAR. In 2005, we supported the efforts of the Cœur de Forêt association by replanting one tree per employee. Each employee then received a certificate with the GPS location of their tree.
*To learn more about the PEFC approach, visit the website https://www.pefc-france.
** To learn more about the FSC® approach, visit the website https://fr.fsc.org/fr-fr
SHARING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS
- A HEADQUARTERS EXPANDED USING THE HQE METHOD. A pleasant and comfortable workplace, designed as a living space in harmony with the surrounding bocage, reflecting our environmental convictions and the respect we have for our employees. For these 800m² of office space, we received the Quality of Life at Work award from Actinéo in 2007.
ESTABLISHING SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
- THE RECUP' PACK: A PARTS RECOVERY PROGRAM. We collect shims, screws, and blockers used during the transportation of our joinery to prevent them from being discarded after installation when they can still be reused. This initiative was launched in partnership with Bouygues Construction on two pilot projects and is now being offered to all our clients.
- EXOTIC WOODS FROM RESPONSIBLY MANAGED FORESTS. Since 2004, we have been a partner of Precious Wood, a Gabonese company specializing in the plantation and commercial exploitation of FSC®*-certified wood.
- THE ECO-RETURN: RECYCLING END-OF-LIFE WINDOWS AND DOORS. Through our fleet of trucks, we collect used joinery from our clients.
- RU ÉDITION. For wood, a noble material that remains of very good quality even after years of use, the design furniture company RU Édition offers a new alternative to recycle old wooden windows into refined furniture: console tables, dressers, stools, buffets…www.ruedition.com.
*To learn more about the FSC® approach, visit the website https://fr.fsc.org/fr-fr
Thus, day by day, we move forward on the path of Sustainable Development. We measure results, think about future actions, improve ongoing initiatives, and challenge ourselves to build better. The entire MILLET group is committed to this great project, driven by the desire to act and progress.
A COMMITMENT ALREADY RECOGNIZED
We have been recognized for our "Sustainable Development" commitment several times :
• At the 2006 Companies and Environment Award organized by the Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development, where we were finalists alongside Renault, Lyonnaise des Eaux, and Airbus.
• As the 2007 Company of the Year awarded by Actineo, the observatory of quality of life in the office..
• With the attainment of the "Agir pour notre avenir" label in 2008, awarded by our insurer GÉNÉRALI. This label rewards exemplary companies in terms of Sustainable Development and risk management.
• At the 2009 BATIMAT Innovation Competition, with the award of the Batimat Bronze and the EDF Energy Efficiency Prize.
The competition jury praised the exceptional performance of the M3D ranges and their relevance in meeting the thermal requirements of Low Consumption Buildings and the RT 2012 standards.
• During the 2010 EQUIP'BAIE Performance Contest, we were awarded the Gold Medal for our M3D multi-material aluminum ranges.
• We also secured third place in the "Prix de l'Ambition" in 2010 for the Grand Ouest region in the "Sustainable Development" category. Organized by the Palatine Bank, the "Prix de l'Ambition" rewards French companies that excel in Growth, Internationalization, and Sustainable Development.
• In the 2013 BATIMAT Innovation Contest, we received the Batimat Gold Award for the M3D.s sliding and hinged wall-mounted patio door for its unmatched thermal performance in the sliding door category.
• Finally, we won 1st place at the 2014 EQUIP'BAIE Performance Contest, again for the M3D.s sliding and hinged wall-mounted patio door.