Corporate social responsibility extends far beyond simply using recycled paper in the photocopier or Fair Trade coffee in the boardroom. Even if your organisation is dedicated to designing and manufacturing products that in their own right will help your customers save precious resources (as well as money), the need to take into consideration your overall burden on the planet, and other social responsibilities is nowadays an essential component in any company taking a rounded, holistic and appropriate role in the commercial world.

There’s far more than meets the eye in applying a sustainable and ethical approach to running a business. CSR is very much a journey and not a final destination.

Take duplication and repetition for example. By taking a step back and identifying the unnecessary doubling up of processes, shortening distances through rationalisation of plant and the consolidation of procedures by identifying cost and materials saving opportunities, most companies are able to save precious resources. Even if it’s only a little, every little helps.

In the case of CMD what we’ve done is simple but effective – we’ve cut out unnecessary waste by merging our warehousing and distribution sites. Instead of three separate distribution hubs we used the opportunities afforded by our re-branding (the integration of three brands, DPG, Powerplan & Form Fittings under the CMD banner) to operate out of only 2 warehouse/distribution hubs. It’s very much a win/win – not only are our standards of service and delivery improved but the process goes some way to helping us fulfil our commitments and responsibilities.

Other initiatives that run alongside our warehouse and distribution consolidation include:

• Using recycled materials for all boxes and packaging
• Insisting that all marketing material and paperwork is printed on FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) approved stock
• Wherever possible, purchasing locally. In the case of CMD that means purchasing the majority of material locally in the UK and where possible close to our HQ in Rotherham
• UK based assembly and testing.
• Moving toward 100% manufacture in the UK.

• Investing in ‘Green’ technology for example our eco² power modules and Ceiling Plus Energy efficient lighting control.

At CMD it’s not just some our products that are environmentally friendly. As a company we’re doing everything we can to be as kind as we can to the planet and respect our social corporate responsibilities too.

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