CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY & TATES
What is Corporate Responsibility?
Corporate Responsibility is about recognising that the way we conduct our business has an impact on our local & wider communities. Tates is a modern, successful company. This success has been built on a commitment to ensure we have a positive influence on the way we treat our staff, our customers, the communities in which we trade & the environment.
The idea of Corporate Responsibility within Tates isn’t new but now, more than ever it is an issue for consideration whether we are going about our daily business or embarking on major new ventures. Our Corporate Responsibility targets are & will continue to evolve in conjunction with the diverse & dynamic changing market place in which we find ourselves.
Corporate Responsibility influences four stakeholder groups. These are:
THE ENVIRONMENT, THE MARKET PLACE, THE WORKPLACE & THE COMMUNITY.
ENVIRONMENTAL
- REFRIGERATION: Mindful of the increase to refrigerated sales areas we have been introducing energy efficient refrigeration into all new & many re-fitted stores. In the last 18 months alone over 1.8 million kw of energy has been saved by use of this new equipment. Our aim is to save a further 1.8 million kw of energy in the current financial year by installing this equipment in a further 25 stores.
- LIGHTING SYSTEMS: We now have 83% of stores with energy efficient lighting systems. This results in an annual energy saving of 134000kw per year. It is hoped to make further savings in the coming year by incorporating this system into an additional 10 stores.
- NOISE: Noise is now accepted as an environmental nuisance. In consideration of our neighbours we now have noise attenuation systems in 105 stores with a target of a further 25 planned for 2007/2008. These systems make a significant reduction in decibel levels of condenser units.
- BACK OFFICE PRINTERS: New double sided printers have been introduced in 95% of stores creating a reduction in printing paper of 50%. We are well on target to have the remaining stores issued with and/or going live by the end of the current year.
- REUSABLE CARRIER BAGS: To minimise the waste caused by plastic bags, we have introduced a series of reusable carrier bags, available to customers in all of our stores. This includes a Biodegradeable Jute carrier bag.
- TOUCH SCREEN TILLS: We aim to reduce the amount of IT equipment in use at our checkouts. We now have 48 stores without keyboards & a further 14 stores with this ready to be switched on. Our target is to a further 11 stores live by the end of the year.
- PAPERLESS TILLS: We have already achieved our target of paperless audit rolls & ceased the practice of giving out customer receipts (unless requested) in 100% of our stores. Further environmental saving are planned by introducing thermal printers at the checkouts thus removing the need for ink ribbons.
- FOOD to GO PACKAGING: The nature of our fresh food departments requires a large quantity of packaging. In order to minimise the environmental impact of this the company is already using packaging that is 100% recyclable in all it Food to Go departments.
- DEPOT PACKAGING: All stores separate & return packaging to our main depot for recycling.
- VEHICLES: Company cars are either Euro 4 engines (diesel) or LEP engines (petrol)
MARKET PLACE
- REGIONAL LINES: In response to our customers needs we stock many regional lines throughout the company. For example many stores in Lincolnshire are supplied with a range of bread & cakes from the ever-popular AW Curtis of Lincoln. Similarly our customers in Wales enjoy a range of locally produced cheeses & cooked meats from R.H Evans. We feel it is important to support our local suppliers wherever possible.
WORKPLACE - INVESTORS in PEOPLE: Tate’s commitment to Corporate Responsibility has not gone unnoticed & since December 2002 the company has been recognised as an Investor In People Employer. This prestigious award demonstrated the companies dedication to the 4 key principles of IiP: A commitment to developing employees, A review of business training needs, Action in response to these needs & An evaluation of staff training. These principles are part of a process of continuous improvement that was again recognised by a successful Investor in People re-assessment in November 2006. Our aim is to maintain our Investor in People status.
- TRAINING: Tates have a substantial annual training budget however there is sound business reasoning behind it. The cost of training is considered to be an investment in our people and ensures that training is identified and delivered to employees at all levels throughout the business. Our aim is to continue to develop the training strategy in order to meet the needs of the business and develop the people within it.
- CONSULTATION: We aim to keep improving the way we relate & communicate with our employees. We have several established initiatives in place such as the Staff Consultation Group, Managers Forums, Conferences and meetings. This year has seen the introduction of Employee Surveys that we feel is an important tool & allows us to get the opinions of all our employees.
- STAFF RETENTION: We wish to retain loyal & experienced staff in the business. (i.e. those with over 1 year’s service). The companies stability index indicates that we have retained 78% within this group. While this is much better than industry average we hope to continue improving this figure.
- STAFF CARE: We hope to foster good employee relations through our extensive Staff Care Package that continues to grow & develop each year. we have 1000 members to the Staff Lottery & 102 stores enjoyed a contribution from the Staff Social Fund.
- PENSION SCHEME: Although many companies have withdrawn pension schemes in recent times A.F. Blakemore remain committed to providing a pension scheme for eligible Tate’s employees.
COMMUNITY
- CHARITABLE GIVING: This year fundraising is well underway with many staff giving their time & effort on behalf of the chosen charities, The British Heart Foundation and the NSPCC. £82.000 has already been raised so far this year.
- PAYROLL GIVING: All Tates employees are invited to make tax-free donations to anyone of over 150 charities through the companies payroll.
- BLAKEMORE FOUNDATION: The Blakemore Foundation recieves 1% of pre- taxed profits and benifits good causes. This is open to community projects and charities withinour trading area. the company welcomes applications from memebers of staff for donations to their favourite local charity or community project.
- JOB CREATION: This year we have created almost 70 jobs so far through our new store openings and plan to create a further 200 jobs nect year through our continued expansion.
- COMMUNITY AWARDS: Conducting business responsibly is not only our concern but also the concern of many local authorities some of who have their own initiatives. We are always keen to participate in any such initiatives and have done so successfully in the past. For example our Sheffield stores successfully took part in the Responsible Retailer Awards set up by the local Trading Standards Office. Over the past 18 months eight of our stores have been gained this prestigious award with a further two stores pending. Our store managers were proud to receive their awards from local dignitaries at the Sheffield City Hall. Other awards include the Roy Castle Good Air Award received by our stores in Doncaster for showing a commitment to the companies no smoking policy. Tates have also achieved national recognition for its extensive training & commitment to responsible retailing. In December 2005 Tates achieved the ‘Social Responsibility Where Consumption is Off the Premises’ award. Tates were thrilled to receive this award given by the BIIAB (British Institute of Innkeeping Approved Body) and held at the House of Commons, London.
