When it comes to Sustainable Procurement, several of our ERA consultants are experts in aiding businesses to achieve their sustainability objectives and uncover savings along the way.
Read their full profiles below.
Read their full profiles below.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07769 710858
Surrounded by sobering sustainability statistics that highlight nature’s decline, consumers are increasingly aware of their impact on the environment. That awareness feeds into their collective everyday purchasing choices.
64% of consumers are more likely to buy from retailers that provide sustainable packaging, and a similar percentage recognises the importance of packaging recyclability.
Because almost every industry relies on affordability, how can you address the needs of an environmentally conscious consumer against a backdrop of rapid inflation and supply chain disruption?
Packaging Specialist Richard Anson may be able to provide some answers. He’s been providing answers to similar questions for 21 years before joining ERA Group and for 15 years since. Notable clients have included Clintons, Ercol Furniture, Paul Smith and NRS Healthcare.
In his own words: “The world of packaging is moving away from single-use virgin plastic towards recycled, recyclable materials with an emphasis on waste reduction. A catalyst for that transition – aside from consumer demand – is government legislation. For example, in the UK, companies are required to pay a tax on packaging materials which consist of less than 30% recycled plastic. That threshold is only going to increase as environmental action does.”
Richard’s holistic consultative approach can highlight possible redesigns, alternative materials and ways to uncover savings.
How can he help you and your business?
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0)7786 141011
Most companies have sustainability objectives.
One of which might be to go carbon neutral, negative or simply to cut down on emissions.
However, many companies fall at the first hurdle because they are unaware of how many emissions they produce. Without this figure, it’s impossible to calculate your impact on emissions.
That’s where Chartered Waste Manager and Carbon Consultant Dan Howells comes in, helping organisations to manage their waste, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and improve their sustainability credentials.
He’s done so for more than ten years, forging long-term relationships with high street retailers, supermarket chains and the National Health Service.
In his own words: “Companies have a big part to play in combatting climate change and reversing its effects. But it’s a role that you don’t have to play alone. With ERA’s expertise, we can help you to navigate the choppy waters of sustainability and achieve your company’s green objectives.”
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 7717 290 121
When it comes to sustainability, few cost categories come under more scrutiny than fleet and fuel procurement. That’s because the transport sector produces approximately 25% of the UK’s annual emissions, double those produced by agriculture, and more than five times those belonging to waste management services.
It is, therefore, crucial that we reduce its impact. In our personal lives, the answer might be to switch to a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Your business, however, is unlikely to be able to do so without major investment at a time when costs are being raised and your profits are being squeezed.
There is a substantial additional capital cost in electrification, both in vehicles and charging infrastructure, making the option unaffordable to many companies . And for many, the technology isn’t there to do so (aviation, for example). What should you do? Give up and bury your head in the sand?
Ken Rogers, ERA Group’s Transport Operation Costs Specialist says no:
“Instead, your first step should be an in-depth analysis of your output emissions. After all, you don’t improve unless you monitor. Your next priority should be eliminating inefficiencies. For example, are your routes optimised? Is your fleet fully maintained? And, for road vehicles, are all tyres aligned and correctly inflated? Attention to these examples will help drive down fuel usage and, therefore, reduce carbon emissions.”
Having fulfilled 30 years of senior management roles within the transport sector, Ken has helped many companies to achieve sustainable transport operations, focusing on low-carbon alternatives, operational efficiencies and carbon offsetting.
Ken’s work has been given industry recognition by being shortlisted for the European Supply Chain Awards for Excellence. How can Ken’s award-winning services be applied to your business?
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07578 018773
You might think the key to being more sustainable is to invest in grand, green energy-generation projects. Sometimes they can provide businesses with a solution. But just as often, they don’t. Instead, you should take a holistic approach to your environmental efforts. Are solar panels suitable for your manufacturing business if you work primarily at night-time?’
‘Is your heating system inefficient, or are your employees leaving doors and windows open?’ Project Specialist Steve Stringer has been finding the answers to these questions and so many more for more than 30 years before joining ERA Group and more than six years since.
In Steve’s words: “The key to sustainability is rarely a quick and expensive fix. Instead, our consultative approach can illuminate procurement opportunities that benefit both the planet and your bottom line. Most companies make the mistake of implementing energy generation before assessing their energy efficiency. With our help, you can put the horse before the cart, not the other way round.” Simply put, the process starts with a survey of your sites and assets and often ends with substantial savings. It is from our processes that the potential for “quick wins” for low or no cost also emerges.
For example, a recent project for a well-known flooring company featured the installation of LED lighting which resulted in 60-65% energy savings and improved light levels.
How can Steve help your business?
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 7447 979 863
The transport sector has a big part to play in the fight against climate change. After all, it contributes approximately 25% to the UK’s total annual emissions.
Duncan Rogers, ERA’s Transport Operation Specialist, recognises that fact. But he also knows that most solutions to the problem often fit into one of two categories: utopian (the technology doesn’t exist yet) or unaffordable. (After all, many are burdened by navigating an increasingly costly business environment).
Are there any solutions for companies who want to go greener without breaking the bank? Yes. Of course.
In fact, Duncan’s strategies can boost your sustainability credentials and save you money in the process. It might sound too good to be true. But it’s not.
The process starts with an emissions analysis. In Duncan’s words, “you don’t improve unless you monitor.” With a clear understanding of what’s being emitted – and how much of it – Duncan can get to work.
Ways to improve the environmental impact of transport might include:
It is his experience, realistic outlook and analytical approach that set Duncan apart from other environmental experts, clamouring to convert all vehicles to electric.
Here’s what one of his clients had to say:
“Duncan made the process smooth from start to finish, and the saving he achieved exceeded my expectations.”
Jo Healy, Financial Director, Flowline
Here’s another:
“I have been very impressed with how knowledgeable, professional and helpful ERA have been. I would not hesitate to recommend them to businesses considering using their services.”
Nicky Knight, Transport/Logistics Supervisor, Palmers Scaffolding UK
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +447771 613870
Climate change is the single biggest issue affecting everyone on the planet today.
It’s a sentiment you hear regularly: through the news, via adverts and on the lips of most people you meet.
They are often urging you, as a business to take stronger action to help the environment.
So why aren’t you? What’s stopping you?
The answer to both questions is that almost everything costs more today than it did before.
Energy bills are 80% higher than two years ago, non-food raw materials have increased 117% since 2000, and wages for your workforce have likely increased to meet an ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
The bottom line is that, despite wanting to, most businesses cannot commit the thousands, sometimes millions of pounds necessary to launch large-scale green projects.
But you don’t have to.
Ian Morrison has been with ERA for almost 20 years, bringing with him more than 30 years of experience at blue-chip companies.
In his words: “Before you race off to install hundreds of solar panels or dig up the ground for a ground-source heat pump, your first port of call should be to seek out inefficiencies, find maintenance opportunities and reduce energy consumption through behavioural changes.
Often, a walk through your facility will illuminate an abundance of optimisation opportunities. Perhaps your employees are opening windows to cool down when the heating is on, or there’s a leak in your compressed air system, or you’re illuminating workspaces with out-of-date lighting technology.”
Ian can help your business to find straightforward solutions to the big question of sustainability.
Talk to him and his team of specialists today.