AG Secures Top UK Awards for Carbon Cuts and Company Culture

AG, a Northern Ireland-based manufacturer of low-carbon paving and building products, is gaining national recognition for its leadership in responsible business practices.

Tuesday 24 June 2025

AG Secures Top UK Awards for Carbon Cuts and Company Culture

AG, a Northern Ireland-based manufacturer of low-carbon paving and building products, is gaining national recognition for its leadership in responsible business practices.

With more than 65 years of experience, AG has built a reputation as a forward-thinking, family-owned business delivering sustainable hard landscaping solutions across the UK and Ireland.

Last week, the company was named Best Sustainable Business (SME) at The Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards, following its earlier win in May for Excellence in Workplace Health and Wellbeing at the 2025 Belfast Telegraph Business Awards.

These latest recognitions continue a strong track record for AG, which was previously honoured as Sustainable Manufacturing Business of the Year at the 2024 Business Eye Sustainability Awards and Green Exporter of the Year at the 2024 All-Ireland Sustainability Awards.

Earlier this year, the Fivemiletown-headquartered company was awarded the prestigious “Excellent” rating under the new BES6001 Framework for Responsible Sourcing. This respected third-party accreditation assesses environmental, economic, and social impacts throughout the supply chain, reinforcing AG’s dedication to responsible sourcing at every level.

Responsible business practices have long underpinned AG’s strategic approach. Earlier this year, the company reported a 54.5% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its 2019 baseline, significantly exceeding its original 30% Climate Action Pledge commitment made through Business in the Community. At the end of 2024, AG was awarded back-to-back Platinum Status in the Northern Ireland Environmental Benchmarking Survey, recognising organisations that demonstrate exceptional environmental leadership.

To enhance transparency and support the wider decarbonisation of the construction sector, AG introduced Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for over 370 of its products in 2024. These independently verified certifications provide clear data on the carbon footprint and life cycle impact of AG’s paving, walling and brick ranges, enabling specifiers, developers and contractors to make informed, sustainable choices.

Among its product innovations, the company’s Woodward Low Carbon Masonry Facing Brick contains up to 46% less embodied carbon than traditional kiln-fired bricks. The product range has been nominated for the Responsible Product/Service Award at the 2025 Responsible Business Awards, hosted by Business in the Community. Cathy Maguire, AG’s HSEQ Manager, is also shortlisted for Responsible Business Ambassador of the Year, in recognition of her leadership in embedding sustainability, wellbeing and community engagement across the organisation.

Reflecting AG’s broader role in shaping the industry’s future, CEO Stephen Acheson recently spoke at Manufacturing NI’s Anchor High Summit, contributing to a panel on sustainability as a strategic business asset. He commented:

“These recognitions reflect AG’s long-term commitment to responsible business practices. We believe that decarbonising construction is not just an environmental necessity, it is essential for long-term business resilience, customer value and employee wellbeing. As a family-owned business, we take pride in leading by example and continually pushing the boundaries of innovation and corporate responsibility.”