Finance Advice
How leasing can enable the transition to net-zero
Alex Hall examines how finance and leasing can support businesses in the printwear and embroidery sector with sustainability goals.
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n 2019, the UK signed a legally binding target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Many UK SMEs are already working towards achieving their own sustainability goals, not only for the environmental factor, but also to appease or tap into a growing market share of customers who actively choose more sustainable businesses over competitors. Quality and longevity of goods produced in the printwear and embroidery sector are of course important, but internal efficiencies and carbon emissions are increasingly becoming a factor that businesses and consumers are considering when choosing the companies to work with. According to a 2022 survey conducted by SME Climate Hub, 60% of SMEs have plans to reduce their carbon footprint. We believe that every business has a role to play in reducing their environmental impact and we are committed to doing our part and sharing that knowledge with customers so they can make positive changes too. For example, there are the obvious ideas that would spring to mind, such as installing solar panels and LED lighting throughout our head offices. But there are also less costly methods that you could consider implementing too, such as transitioning to paperless processes or researching how employees are traveling to work to introduce initiatives that reduce commuting emissions. There are many elements to consider when embarking on such a journey, a large one being the efficiency of your business
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
equipment and machinery. Commenting on the improvements of printwear and embroidery machinery, Scott Mason, sales manager at AJS Embroidery Services said: “There is a huge emphasis on the design and development of features in new machines, which keep manufacturers like Tajima at the forefront of the industry, but energy efficiency improvements are also a key factor in their new machines.
“With developments in motors, software and features such as LED lighting, the electricity consumption is being reduced with every new model released. For example, a current new 8 Head Tajima Embroidery machine runs at only 0.42kWh. A single-head machine is running as low as 0.1kWh”. By making changes and replacing old equipment with newer technologies, your business could reduce its overall environmental impact drastically, as well as make savings on your business’s energy costs.
However, the target for becoming carbon- neutral presents challenges, with research from Bank of Scotland finding that almost 40% of SME owners cite the costs and fear of low returns on investment as a significant barrier to action. The large capital outlay these investments often involve can be detrimental to cash flow and often push investing in sustainability down the agenda. Finance and leasing can act as an enabler for that positive change though.
Many resellers in the market such as AJS Embroidery and Stocks Sewing Machines already offer flexible and affordable leasing options on a host of their products such as DTF printers, sewing machines, embroidery
machines, digital cutters and more. Through finance, you could affordably invest in assets that will improve energy efficiencies and reduce your environmental impact, but also gain the ability to offer new services or deliver improvements to your customers through the newer technologies, improving the overall business case and return on investment.
The same principle applies across the full spectrum of business assets, from printers through to solar projects. If cost is the barrier holding you back form making efficiency improvements and your chosen supplier doesn’t offer finance options, simply get in touch directly with a reputable equipment finance company, such as Shire Leasing, who will support you with a finance application directly.
As leaders in business, we have a responsibility to protect the planet where we can. But to do this, we must also ensure our businesses maintain a sustainable cash flow too. Finance and leasing can enable you to invest in the latest efficiencies, reduce your carbon footprint, improve your service offering and appeal to customers seeking businesses that take sustainability seriously.
In 2022, Shire Leasing won an award for Supporting Customer ESG Goals.
Contact Alex Hall on 07553 247 737 to learn more about finance solutions available to support your business growth.
August 2023 | 17 |
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