23 January 2019
Further sustainability for Pepper Communications
Plymouth based BPIF members, Pepper Communications, have installed 100 kW of solar PV panels on the roof of their Plymouth HQ as part of their continued strive for sustainability, the company have undergone several projects with CleanEarth showing how the print industry is embracing renewable energy generation.
The team are no strangers to sustainability, neither is the sector with most printers tending to be more familiar with environmental responsibility than many businesses, because recycling has been an issue for them for many years. And, as heavy users of electricity, they have also been early adopters of new technologies for energy efficiency and generation including the BPIF's own Climate Change Levy programme which saves the industry around £7m pa.
As Jake Whitford, Pepper's Operations Director said, "We operate a very power hungry manufacturing plant, so our decision to invest in renewable energy will provide us with both significant energy savings and a reduced carbon footprint."
As a family-run business where the four Whitford brothers are directors, the team at Pepper have a long-standing commitment to improving the environment in which they live and work and are previous winners of the BPIF Environmental Printer of the Year award
In addition to their investment in renewables, energy efficiency and waste management, they also encourage their customers to specify vegetable-based inks and papers certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
To help convey this message, CleanEarth installed a display in reception, so staff and customers can see the rate of generation from the solar PV, the carbon saving, and the savings on their electricity bills.
In order to strike the optimum balance between sustainability and the company's return on investment, the system was designed to ensure most of the generated electricity is consumed directly on-site.
Dawn Reid, BPIF Regional Director for the area also added, "This further project is great news for the business in terms of their strive to be more sustainable, any inroads which can be made on both billing costs and the CO2 usage is great news."
For more information see: www.pepper.co.uk
Pay Review Data, Wage Benchmarking and Cost of Living – FEB 2024 UPDATE
14 February 2024
We have collated data from multiple sources that should be useful for BPIF members that are approaching internal pay reviews, and/or are having a closer look at their pay and benefits structure. The datafile, first published in February 2023, has been updated with the latest available data - and additional content on factors exerting pressure on pay settlements in 2024.
Slight recovery of output and orders falls short of expectations in Q4 - confidence concerns mount in 2024
22 February 2024
Performance in the UK's printing and printed packaging industry did improve in Q4, as far as output and orders are concerned. However, it didn't come close to what would historically be considered the seasonal norm, nor quite match the subdued expectations for Q4.
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