At Barnard & Westwood we recognise the importance of corporate social responsibility and sustainability and acknowledge that we must integrate our business values and operations to meet the expectations of our stakeholders. They include customers, employees, investors, the community, suppliers and the environment.
Customers
Barnard and Westwood has been trading for over 100 years and has a long legacy as a responsible and high-quality company. Our high levels of repeat business and customer retention testify to the strong relationships formed with customers.
- We will continue to be responsive and proactive towards our customers’ needs and align with their business aspirations and objectives
- We will register and resolve any customer complaints in accordance with our high standards of service
People
Working in manufacturing, our craftsmen and women are such a vital part of our organisation and produce the beautiful work we deliver to our customers. As a business we are committed to continuing to provide a healthy, safe, inclusive and creative working environment that respects equality and diversity and that supports people in reaching their ambitions and goals.
- Continuing Professional Development:
All staff in the company have access to funding to attend external courses. This has included courses ranging from Japanese bookbinding, improved spoken and written English lessons and Business Management certifications amongst others.
- Health & Safety during the Pandemic:
Throughout the pandemic Barnard & Westwood was committed to supporting staff and keeping them safe. The business ensured:- Covid test kits were made available to all staff
- Masks and hand sanitiser were provided in the office and workshop and also distributed to all staff for travel to and from work
- The workplace was cleaned regularly throughout the pandemic to keep work stations clean and safe
- Social distancing measures and one-way systems were in place at the workshop
- Staff were kept on furlough to reduce numbers in the workshop and keep staff safe
- Wherever possible, staff were encouraged to work from home
- During the pandemic, members of staff were also encouraged to use the company’s 100% electric van in order to minimise their exposure to other people on crowded trains without contributing to emissions
- Apprentice training:
Over the past 7 years we have recruited and trained up 6 different apprentices across a multitude of skills. As the business grows on the back of the pandemic our intention is to continue to grow our apprenticeship scheme to train up further bookbinders and printers.
Community
We understand that our business doesn’t stop at the front door; it extends into our neighbouring communities, through our supply chain and leaves a legacy in the tangible and natural environment. We have consciously sought to blur the distinction between business and society because we understand that the way in which we operate and the resources that we use can have a much wider benefit.
This is derived through greater appreciation of our customer needs, reduction in operating costs associated with lower environmental impacts, lending support to the charities we have an affinity with and volunteering our time with local people and organisations.
- Student tours and competitions to create links with local educational establishments:
Over the past few years Barnard & Westwood has held factory tours with students of the arts at Central Saint Martins to experience how work is produced within a commercial printer and bookbinder with an overview of the different processes from start to finish. - Support for NFP/Charity organisations:
Staff are permitted time from the working day to support a wide spectrum of charities and causes local to the employee’s homes.
When we are approached by NFP organisations and charities we try to support them through whatever means possible. Normally by providing printing services free of charge or heavily discounted or by offering up our time.
Some of the causes we have supported recently include:
- Movember Foundation – https://uk.movember.com/
- Breast Cancer UK – https://www.breastcanceruk.org.uk/
- The Air Ambulance Service – https://theairambulanceservice.org.uk/
- The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) – https://www.qest.org.uk/
- The Royal Warrant Holders Association (RWHA) & The RWHA Charity Fund – https://www.royalwarrant.org/
- Shine School Media Awards – https://www.shine-schoolawards.org/sponsors/
- Inspiring The Future – https://www.inspiringthefuture.org/by-appointment/
Suppliers
Given the high standards we hold ourselves to, it is imperative our suppliers are also held to the same level to ensure transparency and inclusiveness.
- We have an inclusive procurement process that is open and ethical and recognises a diverse base of suppliers in the marketplace.
- We ensure a high level of business performance while minimising and effectively managing risk ensuring that we uphold the values of honesty, partnership and fairness in our relationships with all our stakeholders.
- We encourage suppliers and contractors to adopt responsible business policies and practices.
- Help to raise standards and benchmarks in the industry by promoting CSR activities and partnerships and communicating our CSR values to our staff.
Environment
As a business, we will continue to work towards minimising waste and the environmental impacts of our activities and ensure continuous improvement in our environmental performance.
- Public Transport:
All staff are encouraged to travel by public transport where possible for all or part of their journeys. The result is now that 100% of the company commute where necessary via public transport - Working from home:
Several members of staff regularly work from home and all work-related travel is via public transport. This initiative reduces the impact commuting has on the environment and boosts the individuals’ work life balance though smarter working - Local Deliveries:
Our local deliveries are made via our zero-emission fully electric delivery vehicle. We look to renew our delivery vehicle every 4 years in order to take advantage of the latest technology and reduce our impact on the environment. Our latest model has a range of over 165 miles allowing us to fulfil more than 90% of our deliveries through a zero-emission option - Recycling:
Both the factory and office are fitted with separated recycling bins and all waste is recycled or reused wherever possible - FSC:
Barnard & Westwood is Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified (FSC-C144591) - Planet Mark:
To take our sustainable ambitions to the next level, measure our Carbon Footprint and seek out new ways that we as a business can do everything in our power to drive sustainability, we signed up to Planet Mark in March 2024. This is reviewed annually and we have a carbon reduction target of 5% year-on-year - Regular Reviews:
We perform a regular review of the plant list, software and machinery across the business in order to uncover inefficiencies and areas for improvement. This is an ongoing process - Paperless processes:
Although printing is a fundamental part of our company, we are committed to minimizing our environmental impact through responsible printing practices. As a result, 95% of the sales invoicing and remittance processes are now paperless with all purchase invoices being stored electronically, thus reducing space and resource - Sustainability Conferences:
In order to stay up to date with the latest developments and ideas surrounding best practice and sustainability we regularly attend environmental conferences and seminars. - ‘Zero Foil To Landfill’:
As part of our commitment to reducing our environmental impact across our entire business we recently partnered with FoilCo and joined their ‘Zero Foil To Landfill’ initiative – https://www.foilco.com/environment/ - Ferrous Metals:
All metallic printing plates and dies are recycled - Lighting:
Despite already using low energy CFL lighting across the business, we have replaced 90% of the lighting to LED. This has had a significant impact on our energy consumption across the building. This is an ongoing project and it is our intention to have 100% of the lighting switched over to LED.
Get in Touch
To discuss an upcoming project or book an appointment with a member of the team please call us on +44 (0) 20 7923 5960 or
contact us here
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