In late 1992, design work began on the first of the Huntsman designs and in August 1994 the CSB Huntsman 525 Executive cuddy cabin hit the water. 1994 saw CSB become established as a high quality design and powerboat building operative.

In April 2008 a Pollution Prevention Officer from Environment Canterbury approached CSB Huntsman Boats to discuss the benefits of the Pollution Prevention Programme (PPP). CSB was open to utilising what the programme offered and its resources in order to benefit their business. Not only wanting to be the leader in boat design and manufacturing, CSB also wanted to be a leader in environmental practices for their business.

Using Geoff’s knowledge and experience of the fibreglass industry and the Pollution Prevention Officers background on the RMA, NRRP and HSNO good practice, both worked together to ensure CSB was complaint with their consent conditions as well as other environmental legislation and best practice.

During the initial site visit the Pollution Prevention Guide was introduced and the modules of the programme were explained. A site visit was conduced and the issues identified. The main issue the business faced was that the site was cleaned up property at the end of each day. This was to ensure that no debris from the manufacturing of the boats was going beyond the property boundary into neighbouring sites and wetland reserve.

CSB has applied parts of the PPP and applied them into their weekly work routines, developing specific weekly work checklists. They found it hard to contain the fibreglass off cuts and waste to the boundary. However they are working in a cleaner atmosphere and knowing they are doing their part to help protect the environment is satisfying. The programme also identified the need for a spill kit on hand.

“The programme success is also due to staff support and everyone doing their part,” says Geoff.

“It was a big step to implement the Pollution Prevention Programme into our workplace. But once it was in place it has been easy to maintain and there is great satisfaction in knowing your doing your bit for the environment.”

CSB Huntsman Boats (NZ) Ltd is always looking forward to how they can improve the business and the next step in environmentally positive practices for their business the PPP run by Environment Canterbury. Moving forward they are looking for improved equipment and systems to further reduce and control any effects or discharges to the environment. They are also planning to make improvements to the landscape and the general appearance of the factory so that it is not like your typical manufacturing plant and is appealing to the eye to attract potential customers.