The Group recognises the importance of conducting its business in a socially responsible manner. This is demonstrated
in the way we deal with our employees, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we do business. The Group
considers that corporate social responsibility is an integral element of good business management.
The Environment
Group companies are committed to reducing the amount of waste they produce and to limiting the impact which our
businesses have on the environment. The Group’s Irish businesses are members of Repak and our UK businesses are
members of Biffpack. Continued improvement in environmental performance is sought through various initiatives including
reducing waste going to landfill through the use of bailers for recycling packaging. The Woodie’s DIY business stocks a
range of environmentally friendly products including energy-saving lamps, solar garden lights and composters for recycling
garden and household waste. Buildbase works closely with its timber suppliers and the Forest Stewardship Council (“FSC”)
and stocks FSC certified timber at its branches. Buildbase is promoting the sale of a range of energy-saving and ecofriendly
products including solar panels, ground and air source heating pumps, a rainwater collection system, heating
controls that reduce energy costs and carbon emissions and energy-saving insulation materials. Jacksons joined the Carbon
Trust in 2006 with a view to the business minimising carbon emissions. Heiton Buckley branches stock a range of products
to reduce the impact of climate change through better building including heat pumps, solar panels and condensing boilers
that reduce demand for fossil fuel. Controlled ventilation systems and insulation products designed to conserve heat are
also stocked.
Health and Safety
The Group is committed to achieving the best practicable standard of health and safety for our employees, customers and
visitors to our trading locations. We consider health and safety to be an important element in the overall management
of our businesses. Group companies invest significant resources in health and safety management and actively work to
identify and minimise health and safety risks. They aim to ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken to provide
and maintain conditions for employees, customers and visitors alike which are safe and healthy and in compliance with
statutory requirements. Accidents are monitored so that corrective action may be taken where considered necessary and
in order to reduce the number of incidents and the cost of claims from employees and customers. The commitment of
Buildbase to a high standard of health and safety was recognised by the British Safety Council who awarded the business
the International Safety Award.
Human Resources
The success of the Group is dependent on the exceptional contribution and commitment of its management and staff.
The Group’s decentralised culture, which is well supported at Group level, gives management and staff the autonomy
to use their expertise, skills and talents both for their own career development and for the success of the Group.
The Group and its businesses are committed to high standards of employment practice and is recognised as a good
employer in both the UK and Ireland. The Group aims to reward management and staff fairly by reference to skills,
performance, peers and local market conditions. The Group provides incentives to management and staff through
remuneration policies that promote commitment and reward achievement. It is Group policy that all employees
receive fair and equal treatment regardless of gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or disability.
The Group is committed to offering equal opportunities to all individuals in their recruitment, training and career
development having regard to their particular aptitudes and abilities. Training and development programmes are important
to the growth and prosperity of our business. Significant attention and resources are devoted to this area. Training
programmes organised internally by Group businesses and in conjunction with external bodies, such as the Builders
Merchant Federation in the UK, cover a range of issues including sales development, customer service, product training,
health and safety and leadership skills. These programmes help to ensure that we develop, retain and attract the best
individuals at all levels in the business. We aim to fill vacancies through internal promotions and complement internal
appointments with recruitment from outside the organisation.
The Group has Revenue approved share schemes in place in the UK and Ireland which enable employees to share in the
success and growth of the Group. The majority of our employees in Ireland are members of the Group’s Share Participation
Scheme which enables them to benefit from acquiring shares in the Group tax efficiently. The Group operates a Save As
You Earn (SAYE) Scheme for UK employees.
Community
We recognise our responsibility as a member of the communities where our branches/plants are located and where we
do business. We are committed to developing close relationships with those communities through local management
supporting a range of initiatives covering health, welfare, sport, education and community projects. The Group also
supports a range of charitable causes, mainly at local level, by giving donations.
During 2008, Buildbase staff throughout the UK succeeded in raising over £106,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Woodie’s DIY sponsor the Athletic Association of Ireland track and field, cross country and indoor competitions.
