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Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility

The Board recognises its environmental and employment responsibilities and continues to devote significant resources towards improving standards.

Environmental

The Group recognises that it has a responsibility to reduce its impact on the environment. Responsibility for communicating the Group’s environmental policy and monitoring compliance rests with the Group Operations Director aided by the Transport Manager, Head of HR and Health & Safety Manager.

Business Post is acutely aware of the impact that transport operations have on the environment and the Company is committed to reducing this impact. The key objective is to establish a balance between cost effective solutions and changes which result in tangible benefits. Business Post is very keen to introduce initiatives aimed at reducing the effect on the environment.

The sloping front double decker trailer, designed in conjunction with the Group’s trailer supplier, Don-Bur Bodies and Trailers, has dramatically reduced the fuel consumption of the towing vehicle, thus reducing CO2 emissions by up to 25 tonnes per vehicle per year. The design is easily applied to existing fleet trailers and material as nearly all components from the original design are reused. With 66 of these trailers currently in the fleet, the saving in fuel and CO2 is significant. Based on current route mileages the reduction in CO2 emissions is around 1,625 tonnes per annum. The work on this design has already resulted in 2 awards, from Green Fleet and EAST.

All powered vehicles have bespoke aerodynamic air kits, designed by Eco-Tek, which have resulted in mpg improvements of between 5%-10%. These vehicles are on a four year replacement cycle with manufacturers that boast a 95% recyclable component. They are also maintained by manufacturer main dealers to ensure only quality components and oils are used for peak performance. Vehicles and trailers are specified to run on road-friendly air suspension, reducing wear of components, damage to the road network and noise pollution. All trailers incorporate LED lighting as opposed to bulbs which removes a waste disposal problem. Wherever possible, vehicle and trailer bodies in build are paint free using self coloured panels and natural aluminium framework.

The Group has 60 vehicles in its fleet that run on LPG. Bio-diesel, where available, is used at corporate sites in a 95%: 5% blend. Independent tests reported improved fuel efficiency and CO2 emission reduction of 1.5%-2.0%, independent operator trials reported similar improvements and, in addition, no changes are required to storage or vehicles. The other advantage of bio-diesel is that the plant from which the oil is extracted takes CO2 from the atmosphere during its growth. Tyres are also audited on a regular basis to ensure repair agents maintain tyre pressure which can have a detrimental effect not only on the life of the tyre but also the vehicle’s fuel consumption. The use of route planning software also enables the Company to reduce fuel usage by optimising journey miles.

Health & Safety

The Group fully embraces and endorses the legal and moral obligation to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees and others who may be affected by our operations. Robust policies have been developed and deployed to ensure training, risk assessment, safe systems of work and accident investigation procedures are carried out throughout the network. Health and Safety is discussed at Group Board meetings utilising the monthly Health and Safety report, which outlines proactive and reactive measures for discussion and debate. A full Health Safety and Environment audit is carried out each year at all operating locations. A Health and Safety intranet site contains readily available information for managers on specific procedures and policies such as emergency response, safe systems, risk assessments, accident investigations, limited quantities of dangerous goods allowed and communications to promote health and safety and to prevent accidents from occurring in the work place.

Employment

The Group has continued to make significant progress in Human Resource management over the last year. The Employee Consultative Group has been strengthened to provide a robust platform for all employees to make a significant contribution to bringing about change in the workplace and to provide a forum for the exchange of information, opinions and feedback. Reelections in April 2007 will increase the number of site-based representatives to almost 100, with 8 regional and one national representative. The last is employed on a full time basis and elected by the employee representatives. An annual employee survey is conducted each May and continues to provide invaluable feedback on issues affecting our employees. Our reward schemes have also been reviewed resulting in improved incentives and competitive benefits.

Employee turnover has continued to fall, having now reduced every year for the last 5 years. Further resource is being invested in the HR Department and a HR Shared Services Centre is being developed to support all remuneration and benefits activities across the Group. The Group continues to coach and train managers in a wide variety of skill areas including Dispute Resolution, Performance Management, Accident Investigation and Supervisory Skills. The Group's training and development activities were recognised with a National Training Award in September 2005.

The Group has adopted both the HCI and Childcare Voucher Schemes and we continue to provide the Basic Skills training course aimed at those of our employees needing tuition in English and Mathematics. To support our staff welfare programme, the Group provides, through a third party, a 24 hour confidential help line that provides counselling and advice on a wide range of subjects. The Group continues to ensure all the requirements of current and future employment and health and safety legislation are met and managers are kept up to date with changes in legislation through quarterly seminars.

Charitable Support Cancer Research UK has been the newly chosen charity partner for Business Post Group, its employees and its franchisees. The Group donates one penny to Cancer Research UK for every consignment carried for customers who pay their accounts by direct debit and, in the last year, this raised £68,178. Business Post staff across the whole company rose to the challenge during the last year and raised over £10,000 for Cancer Research UK with a wide variety of events, including a sponsored walks, raffles, charity auctions, cycle rides and parachuting. More information on Cancer Research UK's work and information on cancer can be found at