Now, more than ever, sustainability matters.
Even in a traditional industry such as ours, there can be no excuses for not thinking about the footprint we leave on our planet.
Steel is an essential everyday part of all our lives in so many products, buildings, vehicles, aircraft, machinery, defence systems and technology. But the way we make it, re-purpose it and evaluate our success in being more sustainable, has to be a daily part of our mindset.
‘Present about our future’ is our manifesto for a more sustainable way of working, across every area of our business.
And critical to its success is our ability to rigorously measure our achievements against key metrics, and to continually evaluate our progress.
Learn more about our commitment to sustainability and how we’re measuring our success.
How we’ve been marking our progress since 2019
Objectives
NET ZERO SCOPE 1 & 2
We’re committed to be Net Zero on Scope 1 and 2 for our internal processing activities.
Progress
We aim to achieve this by 2030
NET ZERO SUPPLY PURCHASING
Purchase all metal products from suppliers committed to net-zero steel production by 2050
Progress
We aim to achieve this by 2030
ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATIONS
Transparency on our carbon footprint through Environmental Product Declarations and annual sustainability report
Progress
These were fully introduced in 2024
SUPPLY CHAIN CO2 EMISSIONS
Facility to predict upstream supply chain CO2 emissions at point of contract enquiry stage (Scope 1, 2 & 3).
Offer supply solutions based on CO2 emissions and environmental impact.
Progress
This is a major piece of work that we’re aiming to achieve by 2025, dependent on data from our suppliers.
Initiatives
RENEWABLY SOURCED ELECTRICITY
50% of all electricity for Hillfoot operational needs to be self generated on site.
100% of all other electricity to be purchased from renewable sources.
Progress
We achieved our renewable source supply of energy by 2020, and since 2022 50% of our operational needs are now self-generated.
EURO 6 EMISSIONS ON ALL DELIVERY FLEET
All delivery fleet to meet Euro 6 emissions standards
Progress
We achieved 50% of this by 2022 and 100% by 2023
ZERO EMISSION POWERED DELIVERY FLEET
We are committed to transitioning to Zero Emission Powered Delivery vehicles pending the availability of capable technology.
Progress
25% of our delivery fleet is currently electric powered. Further advance remains dependent on technological advances outside our control.
NON DIESEL POWERED MHE FLEET
All FLT and Sideloader fleet to be non-diesel powered.
Progress
We achieved this in 2022
ELECTRIC OR HYDROGEN POWERED MHE FLEET
All FLT and Sideloader fleet to be electric or hydrogen powered
Progress
This goal remains dependent on technological advances outside our control. But we aim to be 40% there by 2026, and 100% by 2028.
ELECTRIC POWERED HVAC
All office heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) to be converted from gas to electricity power.
Progress
We achieved this in 2020
LED LIGHTING
All warehouse, office and external spaces to be lit by LED lighting.
Progress
Achieved 100% coverage in 2021
MORE EFFICIENT STEEL PROCESSING
Our investment in new saws brings improved tolerance, reduced back-end work holding, coupled with improved speeds and lower pro-rata power consumption.
Progress
45% of all sawing equipment replaced and updated in the last 5 years.
FULLY ELECTRIC COMPANY CARS
All company cars to be fully electrical
Progress
We achieved 70% of this by 2022 and 100% by 2023
EV VEHICLES FOR WORK VISITS
All staff to have access to an electric vehicle for all off-site visits.
Progress
We introduced this in 2024.
EV SUBSIDIES FOR STAFF
All staff to be offered a subsidised electric vehicle
Progress
This initiative was introduced in 2021
EV CHARGING POINTS
Free to use EV charging for visitors and employees
Progress
We introduced this in 2022.
PALLET/COLLAR RECYCLING
Recycling at every touchpoint in our business is a top priority.
Introduction of a pallet collection/recycling scheme to reduce new pallet/collar requirements by 75%.
Progress
Our progress to completion: 30% in 2022, 80% in 2023, 100% in 2024.
METAL WASTE RECYCLING
Recycle 100% of metal waste, including bar ends, swarf and metal banding
Progress
We have consistently been achieving 100% since 2019.
What our environmental milestones mean to you
Access to responsibly sourced, sustainable materials
Achieve a more sustainable supply chain
Greater transparency on our carbon footprint
Leading the way by measuring our environmental impact,
Safe and responsible governance
In 2023, we celebrated our 100 years in business. Aside from our steadfast business management and skillful navigation of an ever-changing marketplace, there are many other things that we attribute to our longevity and success. Governance remains the foundation of our continued strength and resilience.
One of these is our underlying belief that we should be a responsible partner and employer. Honest, fair and transparent in the way we work together to deliver the best service possible.
We also hope that our suppliers recognise the same values and aspire to work in the same way.
Responsible product sourcing
Being a dependable supplier of steel is just the start.
Equally as important is our approach to responsible product sourcing. As a customer we want to give you the assurance that comes from knowing that we source our materials from areas free of conflict and where people are respected and valued, not exploited. And we also take a longer view around the full life cycle of our products, and their onward journey.
Quality. Consistency. Excellence. Sustainability.
As a customer, we want you to know that you can depend on us for expert metallurgical advice, reliable stock and supplies, and consistently high quality products. To achieve this we are holders of the ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 9001: 2015 accreditations, alongside ISO 14001 Environmental Management, ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management, and Cyber Essentials.
