18 minute read
ask the expert
Become Sustainable at All Stages
Dean Willis – product expert and Sales Director of the Adelphi Group of Companies in West Sussex – addresses the biggest challenges faced by UK manufacturers, and solves the most frequent questions being asked...
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Dean Willis
Sales Director, Adelphi Manufacturing Co Ltd.
With over 33 years’ experience in the industry, Dean - what advice would you give to companies throughout the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics manufacturing industries looking to source equipment responsibly?
I would stress that environmentally conscious investment has never been more important; for the survival of both the planet and your business. The internet makes product comparisons quick and efficient, so consumers can interrogate every aspect of your product and processes before deciding to make a purchase. Sustainability credentials are now a primary decision making factor. Who you choose as your equipment supplier will give a loud, clear message about your company’s commitment to sustainability; this can either help or harm your reputation, and therefore your profits.
Often we hear from businesses in these industries who want to become more sustainable themselves, but don’t know where to begin. What first steps would you recommend?
For business of all sizes, improving resource use and efficiency is a great place to start. This will reduce waste and improve your environmental impact, and has the added benefit of improving your return on investment too! I always recommend investing in stainless steel equipment for manufacturing and distributing pharmaceuticals, food and beverages and cosmetics/personal care products, as these industries require the highest levels of hygiene.
Many customers transport their products around the world in these vessels, and the vessels can then either be shipped back for re-use, or re-used at the second site. Stainless steel is one of the most environmentally efficient raw materials, because of its durability and ability to be recycled. Vessels last an extremely long time, and even once their service life is over, they should never enter the waste stream.
How can manufacturers investigate a supplier’s sustainability credentials before they make a purchase?
A simple search of the company’s website will often tell you all you need to know! Type ‘Sustainability’ into their search bar, and the results will speak for themselves. You’re looking for press releases about the supplier’s green innovations; relationships between the supplier and trusted organisations such as the Sustainable Business Partnership; and evidence of the local and global impacts of the supplier’s eco-friendly initiatives.
Suppliers who have won awards for their environmental initiatives are the cream of the crop; they can be a real asset to your business and will often collaborate on sustainability-themed social content, which is really valuable to get in front of your customers.
The Adelphi Group of Companies is an ISO 9001:2015 certified, awardwinning, machinery and equipment supplier, recognised internationally for its sustainability initiatives.
adelphi.uk.com
RDB Star Rating
Few industries have been in the national spotlight recently as much as social care. One organisation that can offer genuine insight into the complex and challenging world of care homes, is RDB Star Rating. Which was founded by Sue Brand in 1997 to design and develop a national benchmark system for classifying care, services, and facilities at residential care homes.
Sue Brand
Director, RDB Star Rating
The RDB model and assessment tool was developed after lengthy consultation with the broadest range of interested parties. It is client focused in its approach, responsive to the home‘s client group, and encompasses a diverse range of care standards, varying from the way personal care is delivered to the management of the home and its personnel.
It is now widely recognised that RDB Star Rating is a leading authority on measuring care ‘quality’ provision, on a scale of two to five stars. The importance of the scheme is to enhance transparency to prospective customers and purchasers of care, enabling them to make an informed choice when they are at their most vulnerable.
The RDB Star rating system is designed as a dynamic and responsive measurement tool to ensure the assessment is comprehensive, dependable and focused on the needs of the residents
The RDB accreditation/Inspection is conducted annually and is holistic, objective, and developmental in its approach. Care homes are evaluated against more than two hundred RDB care standards. These care standards are drawn from best practice research across the care sector an tempered by what is realistic and achievable, therefore reflecting what good providers do naturally. Ten to sixteen items of evidence are collected for each standard, from residents, management, staff and documentation, and 25 of the key standards are underpinned with a quality assurance standard. Homes receive a report which includes graphs depicting their overall performance, their performance for each standard, and the results from their confidential resident and staff satisfaction surveys. Successful homes are awarded with a star rating between two and five stars and provided with a plaque and certificate to display. Crowns are awarded for the care homes Property and additional facilities and services.
As many of the standards are based on outcomes of care, the scheme is applicable to small and large providers and to many different types of care providers.
The RDB system is designed as a dynamic and responsive measurement tool to ensure the assessment is both comprehensive, reliable, and focused on the needs of the individual.
sue.brand@rdbstar-rating.com
Community-scale wastewater treatment – a potential solution to Nutrient Neutrality
William Mackveley
General Manager, Severn Trent Connect
Not enough space for wetlands?
One of the most commonly explored solutions by developers for offsetting their Nitrogen and/or Phosphorous inputs, is the creation of wetlands. While these systems may be a boost for Biodiversity, they can take up a significant amount of space and have varying nutrient removal efficiencies.
Onsite wastewater treatment
Building a compact onsite wastewater treatment works (WwTW) may provide enough nutrient removal capacity to achieve Nutrient Neutrality without any additional mitigation measures. In addition to being compact, innovative treatment processes means these systems will have minimal noise and odour profiles.
Satisfying Natural England
The evidence burden required to satisfy Natural England that a site benefiting from onsite wastewater treatment, is able to meet Nutrient Neutrality requirements in perpetuity, is considerably smaller, than compared with alternative forms of mitigation. This is in large part due to all WwTWs (in England) requiring a legally binding discharge permit from the Environment Agency (EA). The onus is on the operator to design, build, operate, and maintain the facility is accordance with the nutrient removal limits agreed.
Developer-led collaboration
The saying “less is more” certainly applies to the number of WwTWs in a given area. Environmental regulators look poorly on multiple applications for new WwTWs in relatively small geographical areas. Accordingly, developers, land promoters and planners would be well advised to collaborate by building fewer (but higher performance) systems which benefit multiple sites. Where possible, multiple developments should drain into the same WwTW, using a “hub and spoke” type of arrangement. However, distances, topography, or other factors make direct connections unfeasible, it may be possible to trade nutrient credits from one site to another instead (assuming there is sufficient physical capacity in the existing sewerage system in the first instance).
Our first advanced WwTW to be delivered on a Nutrient Neutrality development in the Stodmarsh catchment is due to be commissioned by June 2023; we encourage members to keep in touch and listen out for updates.
Please visit Developer Enquiry | Severn Trent Connect (st-connect.co.uk) to make an enquiry for your site.
Illuminated signs: Five reasons why they’re the ultimate marketing tool
Illuminated signs are the ultimate way to market your brand, as the evenings draw in during the winter if your signage is not illuminated then you are missing out on fantastic brand promotion.
Norman Mayhew
Managing Director, Sussex Sign Company
If your business is looking to make a great first impression, then you need illuminated signs. Affordable and effective, eye-catching illuminated signage is a sure-fire way to attract customers.
There are plenty of advantages to using LED signs. They’re cheap to run and provide 24/7 visibility for your business. And there’s no end date to your marketing campaign, so you can make the most of ultimate reach with minimal costs per impression.
If you want to know five great reasons why you should be using LED business signs to promote your business, read on.
Stand out from the crowd
The obvious benefit of stylish illuminated signage is that it differentiates you from the competition. Each sign is unique and you’re in control of design decisions that give your signs their visual appeal.
Great marketing aesthetics can make a real difference when it comes to converting passers-by into customers. At The Sussex Sign Company, we can talk you through the full range of options, so your signage works for you.
Non-stop advertising
Illuminated business signs are one of the most effective ways to market your business 24/7. We’ll custom build your LED signs so they keep advertising your business day and night, using LEDs to minimise your running costs and provide maximum visibility.
Attention-grabbing signage is proven to bring customers in through the doors. Illuminated business signage lets you make the most of every opportunity to convert sales and raise brand awareness.
Event promotion
Illuminated signage can be surprisingly affordable, and it’s a proven way to draw attention not only to your business but also to your promotions. So why not consider indoor LED signs as part of your marketing strategy? By adding an unusual visual element to the marketing mix, you’ll effortlessly enhance visibility and brand recognition throughout your store.
Boost brand visibility
People prefer to purchase from brands they’re familiar with. And there’s no better way to raise visibility than by lighting up your business signage. Humans are hardwired to process visual signals faster, so attractive signage is an incredibly effective way to boost brand visibility.
Low-cost LEDs are perfect for producing lighting effects that make your potential customers sit up and take notice. And that repeated exposure to your standout signage will create the brand recognition that promotes your business.
Stylish and sophisticated
Some of the world’s biggest brands opt for halo-lit or front-lit signs to represent their business. Think sleek Chanel signage or the familiar Apple logo, subtly lit using LEDs. These signs go the extra mile with their inviting and interesting look. And your brand can borrow that positive brand perception, using illuminated signage to give a vibrant and dynamic impression.
First impressions have an enormous impact. And the choice to install illuminated signage will elevate any design.
Illuminated signs manufactured by The Sussex Sign Company
We’re experts in creating illuminated business signage that raises the profile of your business, so get in contact today to find out how we can create the signs that boost your business, on 01273 424900 we have the experience and expertise to help you create and install your illuminated signage.”
We’re looking forward to making new connections
The IT Document Solutions team are excited to start our membership with the Sussex Chamber of Commerce. We’ve heard lots of great things about the group, and after many recommendations, it’s fantastic to be in the company of so many established members.
Jermaine Weeden
Chief Executive, IT Document Solutions
Our company ethos is based on working with like-minded organisations. Building trust, partnerships and referrals are hugely important within our business. We are looking forward to getting to know more about the wide range of member businesses across the Sussex region.
In terms of what we do, our group of companies provide technology solutions and consultancy across a myriad of managed services, from the post room to the board room.
2022 marks our new office move
We have finally settled into our new offices in the Bell Centre at the heart of the Manor Royal Business district. This seems like déjà vu; as it was only two years ago, we had relocated from Purley to Crawley. However, after our second landlord went into administration, we weren’t going to allow lightning to strike again.
Most of our staff are from Sussex travelling from Horsham, Crawley and East Grinstead, so it made sense to change location, as well as offering new opportunities to local people to work in the technology sector. As a company, we have built resilience against challenging situations, and we believe this has made our company even stronger. After growing significantly from our Purley days, our new office now caters for all the subsidiaries of the business including ITDS Workflow, ITDS Managed, ITDS Mailroom and ITDS Space.
New look for the ITDS Group
It’s been an exciting time here at IT Document Solutions. Our marketing team has been busy working on a refreshed brand identity and the launch of a new website.
Our previous website launched back in 2017 and has served us well, but as we continue to grow our customer base and expand our services portfolio, the time has come to update our brand and website to truly reflect our business offering. A huge thank you goes to a local agency, Creative Pod for all their great ideas and for making our visions come to life. We hope you all like the website as much as we do. Please visit www. itdocumentsolutions.com to find out more about us. We would love to hear your thoughts on our new look!
Is your business prepared for flexible ways of working?
Workspaces now look very different because of the pandemic. We are no longer bound to our desks 9-5 and have discovered there are better ways of working. One of the positive aspects to come out of Covid is businesses successfully adopt and realise the benefits of their teams working remotely.
Hybrid working is now the norm for many – where the company’s main offices become collaborative workspaces, alongside homeworking. There are huge benefits for everyone, providing there is seamless integration between home and office environments.
To complement the new hybrid working environment the technology needs of the business will have changed, with remote support required for these flexible working practices. There has never been a better time to reassess your technology requirements and where possible make improvements, operationally and commercially. We have been helping companies across the UK to successfully transform their technology to support flexible, hybrid working environments.
We are offering a free, no-obligation, technology review to all Sussex Chamber members. This involves a comprehensive audit of your existing technology across the business to identify where you can make improvements. Our recommendations will include office print, document management, productivity tools, security, remote monitoring, and employee wellness.
We have lots of exciting things happening within the ITDS Group, we hope to share more with you soon and look forward to meeting members at upcoming Chamber events.
Contact ITDS, we are here to help.
www.itdocumentsolutions.com
Don’t get left behind. Get your business to net zero
We’re at a defining moment in the history of humanity.
Climate scientists tell us that if we don’t make rapid progress with the mission to net zero in the next few years, the opportunity to stop climate change wreaking havoc will be gone.
This summer has given us a glimpse of what’s to come if we don’t move at a pace. Met Office analysis shows that the planet could hit 4°C warming – which means crop failures, frequent and extreme heatwaves, and the flooding of coastal cities – as soon as 2060.
The business case is a no-brainer
The business case for transitioning to netzero is a done deal.
Governments are legislating it. Just like the transition to a digital economy in the 2000s, you’ll become a dinosaur if you don’t get on board. Investors won’t look at you. If you’re in a supply chain, you’ll be the broken link. Your reputation will suffer.
But beyond the business case, the climate emergency is about protecting the future for generations to come.
We can do this
All of us need to act. If we work together, we can do this.
As a business, the power and influence you have is huge. SMEs make up 99.9% of the business population in the UK. You provide the jobs, the services, and the products that the economy is built on. If you act, others follow.
Accelerate your transition with Net Zero 360
At Clean Growth UK, we help businesses get to net-zero.
We work in Sussex through our Southeast hub, the University of Brighton’s Green Growth Platform. Since 2015, working alongside the wonderful business support community across Sussex, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses develop and commercialise products and services that are better for the environment.
We’re government funded, so all our support is either free or heavily subsidised.
Our latest offer – Net Zero 360 – is a net zero business accelerator.
It’s designed to get SMEs to net zero, and it can help whether you’re at day one or already on your way.
The offer includes:
A free net zero business workshop series
A free carbon footprint calculator
Access to university expertise and facilities to help overcome knotty problems that require innovation – such as products, packaging, or supply chains.
Get going and join the workshops
The workshop series takes you through what net zero means for your business and how to get there. You’ll come away with a solid idea of what you need to do in your business and how you can do it.
You’ll also become part of a community of businesses on their way to net zero, with the opportunity to share ideas and ask questions.
The 3 x 3 hour sessions run online, they’re led by experts in net zero business, and we’re running them regularly. We’re also offering check-in clinics further down the line for attendees.
If you do one thing today to get you moving on your net-zero journey, join the next workshop series for free at:
www.clean-growth.uk/net-zero-360/
How to talk to about mental health at work
Employers have a legal responsibility under the Health & Safety at Work Act to take care of their employees.
But what happens when we notice that someone is struggling? It can be tempting to avoid those difficult conversations. The ones where you speak about things that aren't comfortable; pain, fear, anxiety, mental ill health. Yet these are the conversations that make a real difference to people's lives.
Bringing things into the open makes them more manageable. Discussing things makes it easier to understand others. Being open to hearing how others feel, helps you to understand and support them. You are not there to diagnose or tell someone what to do.
Although it can be difficult to know what to say on what can be a sensitive subject, your listening ear will help someone to feel better, or to find the courage to seek support with their health and wellbeing.
If you aren't sure where to start, then check out our five key tips for a healthy conversations around mental wellbeing, and see some of the suggested questions below. This isn’t an exhaustive list and its not designed to be prescriptive, just a pointer in the right direction….
1. Ask open questions
And listen carefully to the answers, so the person feels heard and understood. It's OK to ask open questions such as "How does that affect you?" or "What does that feel like?" Open questions allow the person space to express themselves and allow you to gain greater understanding of how the issue is affecting the person.
2. Time and place.
When discussing something that is potentially difficult, it can be helpful to broach the subject whilst you are doing something else, such as driving, or going for a walk. Being next to each other and chatting naturally rather than face to face where you can't look anywhere but each other can be less stressful and make it easier for someone to open up.
3. Don't try to fix it.
It's so tempting, particularly when it is someone you really care about, to try to resolve all the issues, but it is often more helpful to just listen carefully. The person may have tried a number of ways to resolve the problems they are facing so unless you have been asked directly for advice, it’s better to just listen.
4. Don't treat them any differently.
If you want to provide support then do the things you would normally do. Sometimes the simplest things like a message to say Hi! or sharing a silly video, or a memory of a good time that you shared can be enough. Let them know you are thinking of them.
5. Be patient.
People may not be willing to open up right away. But if they feel that you are willing to have the conversation then they are more likely to seek you out when they are ready to talk.
90%
90% of people still fear discrimination at work if they reported a mental health issue. Open conversations about mental health are more important than ever.
Anna at Stratus Coaching is aiming to change the conversation on mental health. Together we can understand a bit more about mental health and wellbeing, overcome stigma and discrimination, and learn how to spot the signs of someone who may be struggling and start a conversation.
If you would like a list of conversation starters on mental health, details of upcoming webinars, Mental Health First Aid training, in-house training or advice around developing a wellbeing strategy for your teams, then please contact Anna Golawski:
