The Rossendale Interiors design team with the new electric Nissan leaf cars
DESIGNERS at Rossendale’s largest manufacturing company are now driving
electric cars when visiting clients boosting to the company’s green credentials.
Kitchen, bedroom and bathroom manufacturer J&J Ormerod, JJO, based
in Bacup and with outlets across Rossendale, has invested £55,000 in two
Nissan Leaf cars.
They are being used by the six members of the design team based at
Rossendale Interiors in Newchurch Road, Stacksteads, along with Retail
Manager Sharon Mawdesley.
Sharon said: “They are really nice cars and they project a professional image
and advertise JJO on the side.
“We know people come to our business after seeing JJO lorries on the road
with their livery and the new cars will also promote the business when
designers visit clients.
“Everyone who has used the cars is really happy with them and it means that
they no longer have to insure their personal car for business use.”
Self-proclaimed ‘petrol head’ Designer Suzy Halcrow admitted that at first she
was not keen on the idea of electric cars being the proud owner of V8 petrol
vehicles.
She said: “I was a little unsure about the new vehicles at first, but I did like the
green element because I think it is important for our future and I think the
company is very forward thinking.
“I have an old Range Rover and a Triumph Stag I restored from the ground up
over 15 years.
“However, I am stunned by the quality of the cars. They are intuitive and the
Sat Nav is the best I have ever come across - the blind spot warning light is
also superb.
“I was impressed with how well they handled in the snow not having a
gearbox. For me it has been a revelation and now I can see myself having an
electric car in the future, but I will still be keeping my Triumph.”
All of the cars are fitted with built-in tracker systems, and Suzy said that gave
designers confidence that their whereabouts was always known especially
when they are lone working.
Charging points have been installed at Rossendale Interiors, and the cars
have a range of about 200 miles between charges.
Joint Managing Director Stephen Greenhalgh said: “As climate change
becomes ever more evident it’s up to us all to reduce our carbon footprint.
“JJO has long been a leader in recycling and minimising waste. When were
looking at our green ideas, the idea of using electric vehicles was an obvious
next step.
“Our designers travel to people’s homes designing kitchens, bedrooms and
bathroom mainly in the local area, almost always within the range of these
fantastic cars so they are perfect.
“The designers seem to love them so we’ll be adding further electric vehicles
where possible.”