NEWS | Round-up


Our climate change champion Richard Hagan, managing director of Crystal Doors, explains why a focus on sustainability makes good business sense especially at a time when energy prices are sky high


Times are tough for and planet is


everyone; people THE ANSWER


INFLATION, SUPPLY disruption, cost of living… in many ways, 2022 feels like we’ve jumped out of the frying pan of Covid and into the fire. Businesses of all sizes and sectors are having to negotiate price increases that could potentially lose them work, offer pay deals to keep employees from leaving, and hold stock levels at the cost of cashflow. Customers, understandably, want answers today. When will their order be delivered? How much will it cost? What helped Crystal Doors was investing in a new online platform that offers our customers real-time visibility of stock. Not only did this give customers peace of mind, but we also began to see cost savings by reducing our range of seldom-sold foils and boards. When the shocking price inflation we’re all grappling with today came along, I had little choice but to increase our own prices. But there are ways we can work together to dampen the impact, by offering discounts for immediate payment and flexible pricing. Even with profit margins as tight as they are, we are nothing without our team, who are living through one of the worst cost-of-living crises. I offered bonuses in return for hitting productivity targets, and they didn’t let me down – targets were smashed immediately, unlocking a 4% pay rise for all. This year, more than ever, I leading


believe


When our energy prices doubled earlier this year, so did the energy savings provided by our solar panels, LED lights, variable speed motors and high- efficiency pumps


a small


company has to be about creativity, new thinking and close engagement with every stakeholder. Dealing with these difficult times requires caring for peoples’ well-being and supporting them wherever possible. Small businesses pull together in times of crisis and that’s what we must do. Sacrificing people for profit will only make things worse. Saving the planet is also a winning strategy. High energy prices are the new normal; analysts believe they will remain in excess of historic averages for at least the rest of this decade. As part of our sustainability strategy, Crystal Doors has invested close to £2


million in energy-saving upgrades since 2015. When our energy prices doubled, so did the savings provided by our solar panels, LED lights, variable speed motors and high-efficiency pumps. At today’s energy prices, solar PV can pay for itself


within two to three years, and LED lighting within a year for most. With green finance options now widely available, you don’t have to pay a penny upfront. So don’t give up on your sustainability plans – putting people and planet first is a no-brainer.


12


Unified Water Label scheme recognised by new ISO standard


THE NEW ISO 31600 standard has recognised the Unified Water Label as a water efficiency labelling programme. ISO 31600 standard sets out best practices for water efficiency labelling programmes and provides guidance on implementating such schemes for plumbing and products. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent non-governmental organisation with a membership of 167 national standards bodies. Commenting on the development, Unified


Water Label Association managing director Yvonne Orgill said: “We are delighted that the Unified Water Label has been included within this standard. To be recognised as having a well-established and effective water efficiency labelling programme that empowers consumers to make choices favouring more water-efficient fixtures and appliances, without compromising on quality of experience, human hygiene or sanitation, will help us to promote the label across Europe.”


She added: “The development of this standard was approved on the basis that


consumer empowerment through the communication of a product’s water efficiency is a proven way of saving both water and energy, which also drives forward our own consumer communications programme. “We hope that the standard will encourage the development of more national standards for water efficiency labelling, which will lead to an increase in water-efficient products, enabling consumers to make informed choices, and positively influence manufacturers to improve the performance of their products through consumer demand.”


Quooker puts pedal to metal in new sustainability drive


IN ITS latest sustainability initiative, Quooker has launched a new electric vehicle fleet for all its UK engineers. Quooker has partnered with the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) to introduce VN5 electric vans. This move follows the migration of the company’s account managers to environmentally-friendly Tesla cars. Quooker said the latest vehicle update means “each van will emit 36.6 tonnes less CO2 emissions than a diesel engine over five years, saving an equivalent of 397 trees.” With


fully recyclable monocoques made


from recycled aluminium, as well as floors and internal coverings made from recycled plastic, the new VN5 fleet purchased


through


features 89% of UK-based


parts companies,


which saves on transport and carbon emissions. Furthermore, all aluminium scrap made from production will be sold, with the profits donated to charity.


Stephen Johnson, Quooker UK managing


director, commented: “At Quooker, sustain- ability is at the heart of all our thinking. Not only do we produce environmentally-friendly pro - ducts, but most significantly, we are looking to run a sustainable business. We are absolutely delighted to have teamed up with the London Electric


Vehicle Company to provide our


engineers with vehicles packed with an amazing set of sustainability credentials.” Last year, Quooker partnered with the Used Kitchen Exchange as part of its endeavour to be more sustainable.


· August 2022


Climate


Champion Change


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68