IGS wins Innovating Scotland award at Environment Business Awards

Agritech business shows sustainability commitment through vertical farming innovation

Edinburgh, Scotland – 20 November 2019 - Intelligent Growth Solutions Ltd (IGS), the Scottish-based indoor AgriTech and Commercial Lighting business, was one of 12 companies rewarded for a commitment to sustainability at the 20th VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards, held in Glasgow on 14th November 2019.

Intelligent Growth Solutions was named winner in the Innovating Scotland Award category, sponsored by ScottishPower, for the way the business has combined and patented technologies to deliver total controlled environment agriculture and address challenges facing food sustainability and supply.

David Farquhar, Chief Executive of IGS, commented: “We are so pleased to be recognized with the Innovating Scotland Award. Our commitment to delivering a sustainable future is at the heart of everything we do at IGS and has been integral to our development. We need solutions that are sustainable, economically viable and provide food security. Our systems will play a part in providing these solutions to a truly worldwide market.

“Our success is testament to the hard work and dedication of our team who work tirelessly to deliver solutions to the challenges facing global food security in an efficient and environmentally friendly way.”

At the event over 400 business figures came together to celebrate the achievements of innovative Scottish businesses which are demonstrating vision in implementing environmental best practice.

Twelve awards were presented on the day recognising the focus and efforts of a range of companies including Intelligent Growth Solutions, Diageo, and Findra in helping to meet Scotland’s ambition to be a world leader on tackling climate change and inspiring others to follow their lead.

The 2019 event marked twenty years of VIBES, which over the years has recognized 220 businesses for their commitment to sustainability within their sector. The announcement of the winners follows a rigorous judging process which included a written application, three rounds of judging panels and a site visit for each of the 36 shortlisted businesses, to assess their environmental processes.

Commenting, Bob Downes, chair of SEPA and head of the VIBES judging panel, said: “The scale of the environmental challenge facing humanity, from climate change to plastics in our oceans, is enormous, with a real urgency to act. The most successful businesses in the future will be those that are not just compliant, but which are also low carbon, low material use, low water use, and low waste, and which see environmental excellence as an opportunity. This is at the core of SEPA’s One Planet Prosperity regulatory strategy.

“It is very encouraging to see the diverse range of businesses, small and large, which are taking important steps to reduce their impact on the environment and which understand how environmental excellence can also benefit their bottom line. I would like to congratulate each of this year’s winning businesses and organizations, and hope that others will be inspired to follow in their footsteps.”

The variety of businesses awarded show that operating sustainably is an option for all, regardless of size, scale or sector. There are many benefits to be enjoyed from embracing the economic opportunity of sustainability, with winners enjoying a range of associated positives including increased resource efficiency, resilience, competitiveness as well as a stronger working culture and implemented best practice in their daily activities.

Each of the 2019 VIBES - Scottish Environment Business Awards winners is now eligible to enter the next European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE) which is open to winners and runners up of RSA Accredited award schemes. VIBES is the only Scottish based RSA Accredited award scheme.

For more information on VIBES - Scottish Environment Business Awards please visit www.vibes.org.uk

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About IGS: IGS was formed in 2013. Its purpose was to bring indoor horticulture to commercial reality by combining efficient internet-enabled smart lighting with automation and power management. The founders’ experience combined extensive knowledge of horticulture, industrial automation and big data. 

IGS launched its first vertical demonstration facility in August 2018 and is now selling a revolutionary controlled-environment growth system. The location of IGS’ facility at the James Hutton Institute, a world-leading crop research facility, was deliberately chosen to enhance collaboration opportunities for the benefit of customers. Scientists and researchers at the Institute are working with the team at IGS to better understand how growing indoors can impact different varieties of crop growth, as well as driving increased productivity.

For more information visit www.intelligentgrowthsolutions.com or connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

VIBES - Scottish Environment Business Awards is a strategic partnership between Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Government, Scottish Water, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Zero Waste Scotland, and Energy Saving Trust.

The Awards are further supported by CBI Scotland, the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses, Bright Green Business, Quality Scotland and Scottish Council for Development and Industry.

The Awards are accredited by the RSA Environment Awards Accreditation Scheme (www.rsaaccreditation.org).

The full list of winners: 

• Adapting Scotland Award, sponsored by Adaptation Scotland:

• Biomatrix Water Solutions Ltd

• Circular Scotland Award, sponsored by Scottish Leather Group:

Renewable Parts Ltd– Refurbishment Centre

• Engaging Scotland Award, sponsored by Wave Utilities:

Aberdeen Performing Arts

• Hydro Nation Scotland Award, sponsored by Scottish Government:

Diageo- Leven

• Innovating Scotland Award, sponsored by Scottish Power:

Intelligent Growth Solutions

• Leadership Scotland Award, sponsored by SEPA:

ACS Clothing Ltd

• Moving Scotland Award, sponsored by TravelKnowHow

TechnipFMC

• Partnership Scotland Award, sponsored by The Glenmorangie Group

Outer Hebrides Local Energy Hub (OHLEH)

• Product Scotland Award, sponsored by Devro:

• IES

• Service Scotland Award, sponsored by Bright Green Business

Vegware

• Small Business Scotland Award, sponsored by University of Stirling Management School:

FINDRA