Going Green Makes Good Business Sense
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With constant coverage in the media on the issue of climate change and increasing pressure on businesses to reduce their carbon footprints, it is no wonder that ‘green’ is steadily becoming the new black as far as companies are concerned. But how can you really tell if a business is as green as it claims to be? With all this talk of ‘greenwashing’ it can be hard to separate the good guys from the bad in such a competitive market.
One Oxfordshire run construction firm, which really does demonstrate a growing passion for the environment, is Oakwood Builders and Joinery Ltd. Since Tim Fenn took over the firm in 1997, he has committed himself to developing a team of highly trained and motivated craftspeople, all with a real concern for the environment and sustainable practices.
Speaking to Tim it is clear that being green really does lie at the root of the business. A long way from the normal attempts to increase recycling and cut down on travel, the company insists on using only sustainable timber in all building work, has its own biodiesel facility supplementing vehicle fuel with biodiesel made from waste cooking oil and a workshop and office heating system fired by a wood pellet boiler using wood pellets made from timber waste. With other innovative ideas such as making briefcases out of timber off-cuts and promoting products made from recycled materials, it is no wonder the firm has achieved Investors in People status and National Training Awards.
As Tim admits, the construction industry is not generally well regarded for its approach to staff training and motivation, but Oakwood Builders is clearly an exception to the rule. The drive to be green and, more importantly, stay green exists at all levels within the company and staff training on sustainability is a key component of overall business objectives. Tim comments: “We have an on-going R&D programme investigating new products such as wind turbines, wood pellet boilers, insulation materials and low energy lighting for use in our refurbishment projects. These cutting edge technologies are available for all staff to get involved in and upgrade their skills in this important arena.”
With such strong commitment to the environmental agenda it is no wonder that the business benefits are also being felt, not least in the areas of recruitment and retention. The firm’s sustainable practices have proved extremely appealing to graduates in particular, and the firm has strong links with universities and regularly takes on trainees and apprentices. Once new recruits are taken on much attention is paid to ensuring they are kept up to date with the company’s business goals and remain up to speed on green initiatives.
So, indeed, it can be true - a small number of people really can make a difference to the bigger picture and, as a relatively small firm, Oakwood Builders appears to be doing just that. With impressive credentials and new industry techniques it brings home the fact that going green need not be a burden to the boardroom. “A portion of the profit from our recycling of waste timber into wood pellet/wood briquette fuel will be ploughed back into community projects at schools for funding renewable energy demonstration projects. We also hope to profit from recycling other building companies’ waste in the near future,” comments Tim. So, going green really can be a cost effective way to help the environment and support the local community, which in turn will improve business performance and enhance relationships throughout the organisation.
Tim is presently Managing Director of the Green Carbon group of companies, which focus on the design,and construction of eco-houses built using sustainable methods and materials. After graduating from University of Reading with a degree in Soil Science, Tim spent his early working career working in Africa as an Agroforestry/permaculture specialist consulting to WWF South Africa, African National Congress and various international Aid agencies.
Tim will be speaking at at JSB’s ‘Green HR’ conference in May, later this year.
Jo Mortlock
Seminar and Conference Producer
