- >
Genuit Group Sustainability Director, Lee Adcock, provides his assessment the wide range of available products and projects that are steering the Group towards its fully sustainable future.
I have joined the Genuit Group after more than six years at British Steel, but as a native of Doncaster, I’ve always been aware of the businesses within the group. Now, as Sustainability Director my responsibility is to ensure the group is doing all it can to be the low carbon supplier of choice to the construction sector, and that we produce and provide solutions that can help to address climate challenge.
Discussions around sustainability in the construction sector can sometimes err towards future gazing, but during my short time in the role of Sustainability Director at Genuit Group I have seen so many examples, ideas and innovations in the products and systems we supply. The projects that are underway in every corner of the business give me the confidence that we are on the right path to reach our objectives, transforming the built environment and homes across the country as we go.
For example, the technical team at Manthorpe Building Products were the focus of national news feature earlier in the summer, where their Swift Bricks innovation was the focus of a piece in The Guardian “Brick by Brick: the British manufacturers building a better future for birds”
These bricks, which provide a home for birds to nest have been developed in conjunction with the RSPB. They offer housebuilders a discreet way to encourage biodiversity, to protect the Swift species of birds, and are now being used at a fast-rising rate. Manthorpe’s Swift Bricks are made from recycled plastic polymer and can be used by brick workers in the process of building house walls, providing a nest site for these migratory birds that will last the lifetime of the house, with next to no maintenance required.
Companies across the Genuit Group have been responsible for a quiet revolution in how environmental challenges are approached.
The MagnaClean filter system from ADEY, which uses magnets to help maximise the efficiency of boilers has helped to reduce the carbon emissions and gas usage for homes across the UK for many years – an innovation that has not been matched by competitors in the sector. It is an issue that has been discussed recently in Parliament, with Siobhan Baillie MP advocating the benefits of sludge reduction in a House of Commons Debate on retrofitting homes for energy efficiency.
PLURA Polydeck , our manufacturer of civils and infrastructure products uses an incredible amount of recycled plastics – including single-use plastics – to produce some of the features that help us all enjoy our environment, such as wood effect footbridges, boardwalks and non-slip planks that can be found along countryside trails, to the furniture used on train station platforms.
Alongside the products, there are projects across the group that show the way to achieving our sustainability objectives. The ‘Wash and Squash’ initiative, which allows us to collect used plastic bottles to be recycled at the Horncastle Polymer Processing Plant has been in operation since 2022 but has already added to the 50,000 tonnes of plastic recycling processed there.
In a wider context, recycled materials form 48.7% of our polymer inputs, year to date, and Genuit Group remains the European leader in the sector for the use of recyclate. To increase this further we have a strong and active workstream focused on increasing our use of recycled materials and the group is investing in the necessary infrastructure and industrial partnership to unlock new opportunities.
At Aylesford, the group is looking at the results of a significant project which saw the 11-strong fleet of HGV vehicles used to transport Polypipe Building Services product from factory to site convert to the use of waste-based biodiesel and biofuels over existing fuel options.
By switching to biodiesel from fossil diesel a greater than 90% reduction in carbon emissions is possible. Furthermore, the biodiesel conversion is helping to keep maintenance costs low, adding to the lifespan of the vehicle.
Polypipe Building Services had already been making significant strides towards sustainable manufacturing with a £2.4m investment allowing for its range of Terrain PVC pipes to be manufactured using 65% recycled material, mainly comprising of old PVC windows which would otherwise be disposed of as waste.
These will be produced to British Standard EN1453 to ensure the same exacting Terrain strength and durability whilst facilitating the use of greater recycled content. Contractors and specifiers already know and trust our Terrain range which has been around for nearly 60 years, and they can now benefit from its enhanced sustainability credentials too.
Finally, the work on the Group’s Science-Based Targets began before I joined the group, and were approved in April of this year, but show the direction we are taking to reach the existing 2025 targets, adding further goals for 2027 which I’m, excited to be involved with and help achieve, and keeping the Group on the pathway to reaching Net Zero by 2050.
The most recent report from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) shows that more than a third of the global economy by market capitalisation had set or committed to setting science-based targets by the end of 2022. In the UK 69% of FTSE companies had set science-based targets by the end of 2022.
I’m pleased to report that Genuit Group set a SBT ahead of many of our peers, and furthermore is the only UK based company to have done so amongst those making comparable products.
Genuit Group is proud to be part of this drive which is now gathering the crucial momentum needed to turn pledges into recognised action. All of the examples above, and many others I am seeing across the group are the tangible results of the group strategy, and a demonstration to others that sustainable growth and positive climate action is attainable and achievable.
“We have a clear purpose, that is to create sustainable living. If our people are excited about that future, that they believe what they do matters, that they have been given permission to do things better, then that’s the best engagement tool you can have.”
Genuit Group CEO Joe Vorih recently spoke with The Times Industrial Editor Robert Lea about his career, his passion for DIY and Genuit Group’s purpose to provide products that make the environment in which they are installed more sustainable.
Joe provided his analysis of the current construction sector, where the opportunities lie, and how the group is responding to the climate change debate, new regulations and the incoming Future Homes Standard.
You can read the full interview here.
Contact us for any further information.
For more than 25 years, construction industry charity CRASH has brought together the professional expertise, products and donations of the construction industry to deliver projects for homelessness charities and hospices that benefit the most vulnerable in society.
We’re proud to announce that Genuit Group is now a Corporate Patron of CRASH, pledging to provide support from across the group to aid their construction and refurbishment of hospices, shelters and move-on accommodation that can make such a difference to the lives of people who are homeless, and children and adults receiving hospice care.
CRASH does this by co-ordinating the professional expertise, materials, and fundraising from across the construction industry, with resources supplied by some of the biggest companies operating in the sector.
Find out more about CRASH, here.
“The many accomplishments of CRASH demonstrate the real transformative power the construction sector can have for people needing shelter at some of the most difficult times of their lives.
“At Genuit Group we are keenly aware of our responsibility to create a better built environment and sustainable living that also benefits the most vulnerable in our society, so we are excited to become a patron for the charity, joining many of our peers in the industry.
“I know we have the talent and dedication throughout our group to have a positive impact working with CRASH, and we’re looking forward to seeing our systems be put to use on some very deserving projects.”
“I am delighted to welcome Genuit Group as a Corporate Patron of CRASH Charity. Corporate Patron companies are the lifeblood of our charity, underpinning every construction and refurbishment project CRASH delivers. I am confident that through their multiple business units, Genuit Group will provide much needed support, expertise and materials to homelessness charities and hospices across the UK.
“A partnership that the people of Genuit Group can be proud to be part of – together we will construct places that care for people.”
For any further information, contact us.
At Genuit Group, we firmly believe that fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment is not only the right thing to do, but will also help us to achieve our wider strategic goals. As our Diversity and Inclusion Ambition states, we are committed to creating an atmosphere where every employee feels a sense of belonging and can bring their whole self to work.
In this latest blog Group Talent Director Karen Hughes provides an insight on how our Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) strategy is being put into practice and discusses the initiatives and events that have shaped our journey so far.
Just as our transition to becoming a fully sustainable manufacturer is a central to Genuit’s core focus of creating a more sustainable built environment, maintaining and improving a welcoming and inclusive work culture is a key foundation for that vision.
The group is into its second phase of the D&I strategy, as we continue to build the environment, put in place the policies and procedures, and to identify the leaders that will champion the cause in their daily work and communication with colleagues.
Our Pride celebrations and group-wide initiatives throughout the month of June was a demonstration of the work that is underway throughout the Group. Throughout the month businesses across the group have been engaging in activity and communication to highlight and promote awareness and acceptance of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The senior management team have participated in new e-learning modules focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion as we look to equip colleagues with the tools to improve our understanding in how we can be champions for a more equitable environment.
This is an issue our CEO Joe Vorih is unequivocal on, as he set out at the start of the month:
“Close friends, work colleagues and family members of mine have not felt like they can be themselves, not felt included, and perhaps not gotten the same opportunities due to perceptions.
“Leading an inclusive company, creating that culture of respect and belonging, and being a visible and accessible ally and mentor matters to me. It’s a privilege and a responsibility I don’t take lightly. Change starts with each of us, and I’ll continue making sure every month is Pride month here at Genuit Group.”
We also celebrated International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) on 23rd June. This day serves as a platform to spotlight female engineers, who are still significantly underrepresented in the industry. With women representing only 16.5% of UK engineers, there is a real need to highlight the opportunities and encourage more young women and girls to pursue engineering careers.
For INWED the group organised several activities to celebrate and promote gender diversity in engineering. Spotlight interviews with women from various departments within our organisation, provided a platform to share real life role model experiences and achievements.
As part of our ongoing efforts to inspire and attract diverse talent to our industry, we encouraged our teams to organise STEM learning sessions with local schools or arrange site visits. By engaging with young students, particularly girls, we aim to showcase the opportunities and possibilities that a career in engineering holds
Our Pride and INWED day activity followed quickly on the back of Genuit Group’s response to International Women’s Day in March. I am proud that our IWD23 campaign was the first of its kind for us at the group, and saw us turn Genuit purple with widespread participation, with our CEO embarking on a tour of sites, while many of our leaders’ shared video content reaffirming our commitment to celebrate the contributions of women across the Group.
We hosted inclusive employee sessions, generating productive discussions which received overwhelming engagement. The feedback from this event led to tangible actions that support the delivery of our D&I ambition, such as reviewing our maternity policy, providing access to English lessons, providing policies in other languages, and launching awareness campaigns about different cultures.
The Group leadership team recognises that these activities do need to be supported with policies and procedures in place that can meet the needs of employees in 2023. As we state in our recent annual report, great companies are built by great teams, and investing in those teams remains a top priority.
The Group is now using new HR software that allows us to gather insight on where we need to focus our improvement, forecast where the next areas of need may be and to measure how the new introduced policies and procedures are having an impact.
Measuring levels of inclusion is challenging, but we recognise that there are ways to make meaningful progress. The valuable insights gathered from our awareness and engagement sessions during 2022 supported the development of our D&I ambition and strategy focusing on four pillars: leadership, education, policy and process, and communication.
These findings have been put into practice with, for example, the introduction of a new recruitment process that considers diversity from the moment of application. My role is to ensure that people and the quality of their work life with us is at the centre of our thinking and ‘hard-wired’ into the way Genuit Group operates.
Through these initiatives, we strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. Together, we can build a more inclusive future for all our colleagues.”
Genuit Group has been leading by example when it comes to making sustainability a top priority, recently achieving the Approved Science-Based Target certification.
This recognition by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) confirms that Genuit Group is committed to fighting climate change by aligning our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets with a 1.5°C trajectory.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report 2018 stated that avoiding the worst effects of climate breakdown is only possible if global temperature increase is capped at 1.5°C. To achieve this, emissions must be halved before 2030 and reach net-zero before 2050.*
This blog will explore the significance of this certification and how Genuit Group's sustainable practices continue to contribute to a greener future.
The Science-Based Targets initiative is a collaborative effort between the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).
It provides a framework for companies to set science-based targets in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. By aligning emissions reduction goals with scientific evidence, businesses around the globe can make significant contributions to limiting global warming to 1.5°C, avoiding the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.
It was confirmed in May 2023 that Genuit Group had successfully met the SBTi Criteria and Recommendations, Version 5. Our approved target commits to reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 30% from a 2021 base year, aiming for completion by 2027. This is an ambitious goal which reflects our dedication to minimising our carbon footprint and actively addressing climate change.
In addition to emissions reduction, we have committed to increasing our annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 94% in 2021 to 100% by 2027 through to 2030. This demonstrates our commitment to pursuing clean energy sources where possible, and our support for the global expansion of renewable energy.
Genuit Group further commits that 83% of its suppliers by emissions covering purchased goods and services will have science-based targets by 2027.
Our efforts towards obtaining the Approved Science-Based Target certification highlights our commitment to responsible business practices. It is a huge step towards the dramatic reduction of our environmental impact.
The certification serves to strengthen our reputation as a socially conscious organisation, therefore attracting like-minded partners, clients, and investors. This acknowledgement places Genuit Group among the best performing global leaders in corporate sustainability.
In an ever-evolving business landscape, companies that can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability are more likely to thrive.
Examples of flourishing enterprises that demonstrate dedication to their sustainability initiatives; Unilever, whose pledge entails making 100% of their plastic packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.* Similarly, Apple has attained a remarkable milestone by exclusively operating on 100% renewable energy sources.*
By committing to ambitious emissions reduction targets, increasing renewable energy sourcing, and engaging suppliers in sustainable practices, Genuit Group sets a benchmark for other organisations to follow the global movement towards a more resilient world.
Follow our blog to keep up with our journey towards fully sustainable operations.
* https://sciencebasedtargets.org/resources/files/status-report-Business-Ambition-for-1-5C-campaign.pdf
* https://www.unilever.com/planet-and-society/waste-free-world/rethinking-plastic-packaging/
* https://www.apple.com/uk/newsroom/2018/04/apple-now-globally-powered-by-100-percent-renewable-energy/
* https://sciencebasedtargets.org/target-dashboard
