CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Statement last updated October 2008

Since its origin in 1962, Osmond Group Limited has been active in a variety of industries.  45 year old independent businesses are quite rare in the 21st century and our continued progress is a testament to our own sustainability.

Workplace

We have always valued the people and relationships that have carried us this far and enabled us to plan for the future.  As an Investor in People, we are committed to the growth and development of our own personnel.  As workplace furniture suppliers, we are able to offer an array of furnishings and accessories to ensure that all personnel can optimise their own workstation.  After suitable training, individuals are given discretion to choose their own seating, input devices and other components.  Sit-stand workstations are standard. 

Teamwork and favourable customer feedback is specifically rewarded through our "1st Choice" points scheme.

Recent initiatives:

• Cordless telephone headsets for all Sales and Customer Service personnel
• Social activities such as water-skiing
• Personnel sponsored to qualify as Advanced Motorists
• Complete redesign of main office layout as a result of a Lean Management operational review

Marketplace

We also recognise the importance of other stakeholders, especially our customers and suppliers.  We value long-term relationships and repeat business is a key element of the way we trade.  Feedback from stakeholders enables us to safeguard our strengths and make improvements where there is scope to do so.  Our reputation for Customer Service is outstanding in the industry: further information is available in our Quality Statement.

Recent initiatives:

• As the UK's most innovative supplier of workplace ergonomics products, we add new products to our range at the rate of about one a week.  Latest additions include the Embody chair and Sense furniture. 
• In our constant efforts to make it easy for customers to do business with us, we have now provided SkypeTM access (voice and text) to our Customer Service department
• Bespoke online forms have been created to enable customers to book training and assessments quicky and easily

Community

Near our head office, we have active contacts and involvement with schools and Bournemouth University.  We also work with Business Link and Dorset Business (the Chamber of Commerce) on business education and development projects.  Nationally, we participate in numerous conferences and workshops, providing education and CPD support.

Recent initiatives:

• Ongoing Chairman of East Dorset Business Club (a Business Link initiative), providing regular meetings for local SME proprietors
• Donated over 200 portfolio cases to Ferndown Upper School for their GCSE students
• Providing a 40 week industrial placement opportunity for a student from Bournemouth University
• Provided work experience for GCSE students
• Sponsoring the creation and maintenance of www.w-y-b.info (showing exercises for young people) for BackCare (the Charity for Healthier Backs)

Environment

In the past, we have sometimes been too early introducing new environmental initiatives.  Early adoption of LPG powered vehicles had to be abandoned in 2004 after a series of expensive mechanical problems and proposals for a building with grey-water recycling, solar energy and a seeded roof in 1998 had to be abandoned when tenders received were twice the cost of a traditional design.

Today, the growing interest in environmental issues makes SME projects much more viable.  Working with local specialists, we have been able to reduce energy costs in a number of areas, increase recycled waste and reduce landfill.

Following a showing of "An Inconvenient Truth" to all personnel, a number of ideas for waste minimisation have been suggested.

Recent initiatives:

• Working with Dorset Business on waste minimisation as a member of their Resource Efficiency Club
• Reducing unit electricity and gas consumption at our Johnson Road site to below 2005 levels
• Installed facilities throughout our headquarters for bottle, cup, can and paper recycling
• Purchase of our first hybrid car (a Toyota Prius) for assessment
• Launch of RH Ambio - the first 100% recyclable office chair with biodegradable seat and back pads