OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
At Carwood, we care about the way we run our business. We care about the environment and the impact we have on it. And we care about our people, be it our employees, partners or the local communities we’ve made home. By acting responsibly, with empathy and kindness, we truly believe that we can make the world a better place for future generations to come, whilst still meeting our business objectives. Here’s how we’re doing this…
Protecting the Planet
As a remanufacturer, our commitment to the environment has always been at the forefront of our business. We’re ISO 14001:2015 certified. And our sustainable solutions already use up to 70% less material and 85% less energy than new, use a lot less water, produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and create less waste to landfill.
It’s a good start, but we know there’s still more to do. Which is why we have set ambitious targets across the business, from what and how we make our products, to how we run our operations, focused on…
Reducing the Energy We Use
From drawing board to finished product, every part we produce goes through multiple processes, and they all have an effect on our planet. Whilst our remanufactured products already using significantly less energy than new, we are fully committed to reducing our consumption yet further.
So far, we’ve replaced every light bulb across our UK sites with energy-efficient LEDs, and where it makes sense to do so, have installed motion sensors, so we only use lighting, when we need to. We’ve fitted rapid closing roller doors in high-traffic areas, to prevent energy loss. Swapped our company car fleet to hybrid models to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. And now source 100% of our electricity from renewable and clean energy sources, ensuring a zero-carbon supply.
Reducing Waste to Landfill
As a remanufacturer, our goal is simple; to prevent waste in the first place. By reusing old core, we’re helping to keep product circulating in the economy for longer, often for multiple lifecycles. Parts that cannot be remanufactured, are broken down into their component parts and recycled, so that we can keep the material in the economy too.
Elsewhere, we’ve implemented waste-saving initiatives across the business. For example, we’ve given all employees a refillable water bottle, reducing single-use plastics, whilst helping our team stay hydrated. We’ve launched an online returns portal and moved to a digital business card platform, both part of our vision to become a paperless business. And we shred used, clean packaging material, for use in our own.
Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, some waste is inevitable. In this instance, we use local waste management specialists, to dispose of it in the most environmentally friendly manner; either recycling, or where that’s not possible, turning it into energy.
Reducing the Impact of Our Packaging
From next year, we’ll be transitioning to a new design that reduces the amount of packaging, inside and out, uses only recyclable or biodegradable material, and can be reused by our customers to return core. So, just like our product, it will have the lowest possible impact on the environment.
Making Innovative Products and Services
We get that the automotive sector is part of the problem, however, we are doing our bit to change that, by helping make vehicles and equipment run a lot more efficiently. As well as conserving valuable resources and material, our innovative products and services are designed to deliver optimal engine, fuel consumption and emissions performance throughout a vehicle’s lifetime. And because we’re able to design out defects and incorporate technology updates that have been made to subsequent new parts, sometimes our remanufactured version is better than the original.
Social Commitment
Doing right by “the world” means more than just protecting the planet. It means doing right by our people too, because without them, we simply wouldn’t be able to do, what we do. So, we’re committed to creating a culture that prioritises the safety and wellbeing of our team, thrives on diversity, equity and inclusion, and supports our local communities.
Supporting Employee Wellbeing
The wellbeing of our team is paramount, which is why in 2023 we partnered with Ben to promote both physical and mental wellbeing in our workplaces, raise awareness and provide access to a wealth of online and face-to-face support that can make a difference to people’s lives. Employees are signposted to Ben resources across the business, and of course, our doors are always open for a chat.
Improving Team Benefits
We are proud of the action we have taken to increase pay company wide. In 2022 we implemented an annual salary review, which has consistently paid above inflation increases to our team.
Other benefits that reflect our shared values include:
- 25 days’ holiday per annum
- Flexible working
- Training
- Wellbeing programmes that support both our employees and their families
Creating an Inclusive and Diverse Workplace
We firmly believe that diversity of perspectives and experiences helps drive innovation. So we’re focused on creating an open, diverse and respectful environment where everyone has the opportunity to contribute, and bring the very best version of themselves to work. To help us do that, we’re also working hard to recruit talent that reflects the different communities in which we work, and improve the gender equality across our business.
Listening to Our Team
We hold face-to-face, all-employee meetings several times a year. The two-way sessions are an opportunity for management to update staff on key business initiatives, but more importantly, to have candid conversations with our growing team on the issues that matter to them. To ensure everyone has an opportunity to speak, we’ve also implemented suggestion boxes, and an open-door policy across all our sites. Already, individual feedback has contributed to improved pay, holidays and a better workplace for all.
Upskilling Our Team
Whilst we’re privileged to have a loyal workforce – many have been with the business for over 10 years – we know that future success depends on the next generation of innovators. We’re continuing to invest in apprenticeship and T level industry placement opportunities, and are upskilling our wider workforce with a mix of on-the-job and external training.
Community Engagement
We continue to give back to the local communities we call home. In 2023, we donated more than £115,000 to charitable causes including, Team Forces, a charity dedicated to delivering social impact across the armed forces community, Breast Cancer Now, Save the Children, Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice and local grassroot sports team. Our team also collected food and toiletries for the Trussell Trust, who run foodbanks close to all our sites.