Case studies and thought leadership

Studies show that only 1% of the top global companies meet the standard for socially responsible conduct. This means taking adequate action against issues such as corruption, bribery, anti-competitive behaviour, and human rights violations across the value chain.

For any manufacturer, corporate responsibility does not begin at the factory gate, it extends to the whole supply chain that underpins your operation. Scrutiny is needed to ensure that both environmental and social risks are mitigated.

Corporate responsibility does not just mean keeping your own house in order, it also considers the communities that you interact with. At Purmo Group we recognise that our expertise can benefit thousands of people in the markets we operate in, and that we have a unique opportunity to make a difference.

In manufacturing, health and safety is usually synonymous with accident prevention, with the focus on eliminating physical risks. At Purmo Group, we have found that around 85% of accidents are caused by stress or exhaustion, demonstrating a critical link between mental wellbeing and health and safety.

The HR arena is dominated by two topics: the need for reskilling and redeployment as a result of increased automation and digitisation; and the recognition that a healthy workforce is one where equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded as best practice

The world is only approximately 8% circular. This means that only 8% of all materials are re-used, or recycled at the end of their life.

The climate crisis is upon us, and every government, business and individual has a responsibility to take steps to mitigate its impact. Without immediate and significant action, there is a real threat of a catastrophic breakdown in the planet’s social and ecological stability.

In recent years, the terms ‘sustainable’, ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘green’ have been thrown around carelessly as catch-all definitions. This has resulted in confusion about how we evaluate the sustainability credentials of any business, product or initiative.

Purmo Group’s distinctive Delta radiators are popular in schools and public buildings, and are increasingly seen in private homes, due to their stylish design and the efficiency that comes from their unique D-shaped columns.

Purmo Group is pursuing significant material savings for a greener, more competitive business.

The cost of energy is top of everyone’s mind, both in the monetary sense and in terms of the environmental impact. So having full control of how energy is used for heating and cooling the home, is important to all householders.

In Dovadola in Italy, a large family home was badly in need in renovation. Built in the 1970s, with a 360m2 footprint, it was poorly insulated, and the fuel bills each year amounted to over €9,000. On the A-G energy efficiency class scale, it was ranked G, the worst possible.

When war broke out in neighbouring Ukraine, Purmo Group staff in Poland had a very personal reason to help. Former colleagues, contract workers from Ukraine, got in touch asking for assistance for their families, who were fleeing the conflict zones.

In Purmo Group Austria, a group of factory floor workers were inspired to lend a hand when they heard about the sorry plight of a community centre in Kapfenburg.

At Purmo Group’s UK manufacturing site in Gateshead, sustainability was the key consideration when selecting a new powder-coating booth system. They wanted a solution which was more energy efficient, would use less resources, and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

Purmo Group has a plant in Ochtrup, Germany. Next to the plant we have given over an area of land to beehives, which are tended by HR representative and part-time beekeeper, Melanie Oskamp.

Supporting the local community is a key element of Purmo Group’s sustainability strategy. Staff across Germany have been particularly active, helping some of the most vulnerable members of the community with vital skills. Here are just a few examples.

In a fast-moving industry such as Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), it is always a challenge to ensure that skills and knowledge are kept relevant and consistent. Technology changes quickly, as there is constant innovation to improve efficiency, cost effectiveness and sustainability.

Purmo Group has a radiator plant in Yangzhou China which manufactures approximately 340,000 radiators per year, principally the H300, H600 and H900.