This is a guest article written by the Hadley Interiors team.
Hadley Interiors (FSC-C176359) is staffed by a talented team of experienced Bench-Joiners who are dedicated to producing best-in-class joinery products. The company also provides specialist fit-out services utilising extensive site knowledge acquired by the team since its inception.
Hadley operate across a limited number of sectors that demand high quality output. Chief among these is the Heritage sector where Hadley undertakes various build projects for its exhibition design sister company. The company also works on high-specification projects in the educational, commercial and residential sectors.
Standing out amongst greenwashing
The company feels privileged by its leading position in an industry that, when managed correctly, is inherently sustainable. It is this appreciation that led the company to formalise it commitment to Sustainability through certification with the FSC. The company also felt that in an age where ‘greenwashing’ is rife, obtaining qualification from a globally recognised body compliments the company’s high regard for authenticity.
Whilst Hadley sees that demand for FSC-certified products is growing, it is not yet universal. However, for those clients for whom it is a prerequisite the benefits of being FSC certified are clear: the company has seen a marked improvement in its market position vis a vis uncertified competitors. This in turn has led to an increase in turnover and profitability that has far outweighed the investment in time and resources required to establish the systems enabling the certification process.
The certification is of particular importance during tender-based new business activities.
"With Build and Fit-Out tenders, particularly to Public Bodies, a sustainable approach to production is a must-have and being able to demonstrate FSC Certification is a fabulous base on which to make the case that our company takes its responsibility to our Environment seriously." Hadley Interiors Managing Director Jamie Lavin.
The main challenge the company faced in meeting the demands of the certification process was putting in place the administrative systems to support the Chain of Custody requirements. This involved placing additional roles and responsibilities on already gainfully employed staff members: “However, given the ethical benefits underpinning the process, our teams were only too happy to get involved” said Lavin.
All business processes have to be informed of the Chain of Custody. From sales through to finance, all staff members have to be informed that when the company commits to supplying FSC product, it really has to mean it and the documentation needs to be thoroughly monitored, without exception.
In terms of advice for other companies considering certification, the company would recommend securing the services of an experienced Consultant to provide advice in advance of the audit on building the necessary systems to support certification. This enabled the stringent audit process to go more smoothly than it would otherwise.
Once the groundwork of implementing the systems have been laid and put into place “you wouldn’t know it’s there, it just happens seamlessly!” Lavin added.
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