We’ve Achieved CSR Accreditation!
We are extremely proud that our efforts to embed sustainable and ethical responsibility across our operations have been officially recognised.
We want to ensure that we are a great business to work for and with, as well as being an asset to the wider community. So, we’ve been on a mission to discover new opportunities that align with those values.
Back in March, we engaged as a CRS-A associate. This marked the start of an independent assessment of our business against four pillars:
- Environmental
- Workplace
- Community
- Philanthropy
So, how did we perform?
Our Environmental Impact
The assessment credited us with outstanding water efficiency. That is largely due to our investment in a closed-loop system that enables water reuse across the factory. Equally, our commitment to energy-efficient technology solutions was noted.
The report stated that we are ‘setting the benchmark for waste management in the industry’. This follows a concerted effort to separate, reuse and recycle all materials. Our recycling rate currently exceeds 90% and we send no waste to landfill.
Our Workplace Culture
The well-being of our team is paramount to a sustainable and positive workplace. For this pillar, we were recognised for providing employees with training, career development opportunities and promotions. In addition, the fact that we were praised for offering flexible working and access to healthcare services.
The other strand to this pillar was youth engagement. Keen to attract the next generation into our industry, we offer work experience placements. In addition, our first Modern Apprentices joined the team at the end of 2024.
Our Involvement in the Community
We encourage our team to get involved in a range of community activities, including career readiness activities in schools and volunteering with Youth Concern.
We’re also an official partner of Aylesbury United Football Club. Through this association, we’ve increased our participation in business events and have invited other companies to join us. Our role as an advocate for local enterprise was praised.
Our Charity Giving
This pillar relates to the time and resources that we give to charity. We believe that activities such as volunteering days and participation in a local fundraising run are good for business. That’s because they help to improve employee engagement, well-being and sense of achievement.
How Does CSR-A Silver Accreditation Benefit Our Customers?
Yes, we will be celebrating this achievement with the team, but we believe this is also important for our customers.
Many of our customers are also proactively working on resource efficiency and waste reduction measures. With this CSR-A accreditation, we can help them trace good practices back through the supply chain.
Equally, our investment in team well-being and development means that we have high retention rates and long-standing employees. As a result, we build strong relationships with our customers, allowing us to provide them with a more personal service.
Finally, we hope that our work in the community will continue to connect us with other businesses and individuals that share our values. That opens up fresh opportunities that benefit everyone involved.
What next?
Our priority is to thank the team, promote our accreditation and enjoy family time through the summer holidays. However, the assessment provides recommendations on how to address a few gaps. This is a journey of continuous improvement, so we’ll continue to embrace sustainability and social responsibility.
Our commitment to CSR has demanded considerable investment of time and money, yet we are reaping the rewards in multiple ways.
