Generating long-term value
Howdens is a growing business. Sustainable behaviour will help us continue to grow in a way that preserves our culture, supports our business model, mitigates our risks, and addresses the needs of our stakeholders.
Sustainability matters
We describe the Howdens culture as being ‘worthwhile for all concerned’ and ‘creating the conditions that allow everyone to succeed’. That means that our business needs to be worthwhile for our staff, our customers, our suppliers, the environment, and the communities we work in.
Sustainable behaviour also gives us a competitive advantage. Lowest cost production in our dedicated UK factories leads naturally to minimising waste, energy, and raw materials. Our mission statement aim of ‘no-call-back quality’ means that we need to produce and source product which is durable and safe.
The importance of sustainable behaviour is recognised right through the business. The Board and Executive Committee reinforced their commitment in 2020 through a wide-ranging Strategic Review of our Environmental Social and Governance priorities, that we set out in our Sustainability report. The review clarified our ESG Vision for the future. It identified four main commitments, as well as a range of other potential targets and research projects. It included engaging with key stakeholders to test our assessment of our material ESG areas, as well as selecting our material United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
100%
of manufacturing waste reused, recovered or recycled in 2020
RIDDORs
Reportable injuries per 100k were 32% below the HSE all-industry average in 2020
UN SDGs
Howdens ESG projects and commitments were mapped to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 2020
Why Sustainability Matters to us
Health and Safety
Fundamentally, we believe there should be no compromise on health and safety. We prioritise employee well-being and go to every length to provide people with the safest-possible working conditions. Read more about the stringent code we have established to deliver this.
Supply chain and product
We strive to source ethical FSC® and PEFC™ certified materials in a tenable fashion, which allow us to deliver safe and durable products our end users can enjoy for many years. Learn about the processes behind this aim, including our chain of custody, safety testing and certifications.
Our environment
The Howdens culture is to be “worthwhile for all concerned”, and that means that we take our environmental responsibilities seriously. Our main concerns are around zero waste to landfill, reducing our emissions, and energy efficiency.
Communities
We are passionate about supporting local community projects and nationwide working together with Leonard Cheshire.
Historic Sustainability Reports
HOWDENS Making space more valuable
Business Model and Strategy
Depots
Sustainability
Community
Products
People and Careers
Financial Results
