CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Statement last updated June 2011

Since its origin in 1962, Osmond Group Limited has been active in a variety of industries.  Independent businesses that are nearly 50 years old 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 Investors 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 in the office. 

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

Recent initiatives:

• Installation vans fitted with non-standard options such as air conditioning and cruise control
• Social activities such as Zorbing, Segway Racing, Karting and Water Skiing
• Personnel sponsored to qualify as Advanced Motorists
• New personnel mentored by experienced staff members

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 and partner endorsements can be found here.

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.  The unique DXT Precision Mouse is one of our most innovative additions.
• Bespoke online forms are used widely to enable customers to book training and assessments quicky and easily.
• Webinars enable us to provide training and information to customers simultaneously at  multiple locations and without the need to travel.

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, development and environmental 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
• Providing a 13 month industrial placement opportunity for a student from Bournemouth University 
• Providing sponsorship to BackCare (the Charity for Healthier Backs) as a Corporate Supporter
• Working with Physio First (the organisation of private practice physiotherapists) as a corporate partner
• Sponsoring webinars for the Green Group of the Institute for Ergonomics & Human Factors
• Sponsoring a physiotherapy student to attend the annual ACPOHE (Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health & Ergonomics) Conference
• Sponsoring webinars for executive meetings of ACPOHE

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
• Achieving and maintaining ISO14001 with no non-compliances
• Introducing webinars
• Ensuring that all replacement vehicles provide better fuel consumption than the vehicle they replace
• Providing Advanced Motorist introductory training to all personnel to raise awareness of anticipation and efficient driving
• Sourcing more products locally and joining the BuyDorset networking organisation

Copyright © 2012 Osmond Group Limited