April 4, 2025

The light of sustainability still shines bright

There are small and medium sized organisations across the world still investing heavily in reducing their carbon footprint and increasing efficiencies around sustainability. But is this now a mistake?

For many, investing in sustainability takes sizable resources. But the world is clearly changing and if we believe what we read, there is now an overwhelming negative approach to sustainability from some quarters and the impact is rippling. We also hear this direction might be setting in for the long haul, so has that investment now been wasted?

Our evidence and that of other SMEs would suggest no. Even with an increasing level of animosity or indifference towards sustainability from the few, the benefits are still there to be realised. But maybe there is a need to tread more cautiously.

At Eumar Technology Limited, we continue to see the benefits of implementing a range of sustainable projects. The key reason for us investing was to play our part in reducing climate change, but we continue to see shorter-term benefits that make an organisational or economic difference rather than climate. And I guess that is my thinking when it comes to sustainable practice. The commitment to sustainability is not only an ethical choice but also a strategic one that can yield tangible benefits, many of which cannot be taken away by a change in a government’s policy or client/tender requirements.

What’s good for sustainability is usually good for business

For us, sustainable practices have always been a win-win and continues to be so. But we cannot ignore the economic outlook so we may need to tread more cautiously and be more targeted in our activities. But we won’t stop.

In any metaphorical storm (or real in our case), it is the workforce that gets you through, so the time we spent working with our teams on sustainability has been invaluable. Working with our internal teams to deliver what are often passion projects with business benefits has had a long-term impact on how we work as a business. I believe we have an empowered and engaged workforce that communicates directly with senior leaders in the business in a wide range of areas – in many cases driving business innovation. I hope that continues.

Sustainability also enhances business resilience. By adopting practices such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and renewable energy, small businesses can cut costs and protect themselves from rising energy prices or supply chain disruptions. The implementation of LED lighting across our factory floor two years ago continues to bring cost savings to the organisation – no amount of policy redirection will change that. The same with onshoring and nearshoring. With our supply chain coming closer to our Hereford base, we can minimise disruption and increase streamlining. Those changes also reduce our carbon emissions and make a small difference to the planet.

Sustainability as a change agent

Innovation is so prolific in sustainability that we often don’t stop to think about it. Wind and wave technology is now mainstreamed. Low flow shower heads that save water and reduce bills, increased cycle lanes that encourage fitness and improved health – these are two of thousands of innovations changing lives. So we can see sustainability is an agent for innovation and impact, and it will continue to be so.

For us at Eumar Technology and sister company Ubersorb, small changes have resulted in so many positive innovations for us – reduced waste going to landfill, exploring fuel mixes as we move towards a 100% clean energy supplier and package redesign so we can transport more product in less vehicles. Would we have uncovered these benefits if we hadn’t taken a sustainable approach and achieved ISO14001 accreditation? I would like to think so but ISO14001 was undoubtedly a catalyst.

Entering the age of the eco-customer

Despite what you read in some media and hear from certain politicians, the evidence continues to point towards a growing brand loyalty to those organisations who commit to sustainability. Major research houses such as Nexus predict the continued growth of customers prioritising sustainability over brand name, with many willing to pay a premium for ethically sourced or produced items. This market driver is only getting stronger, so it is something we all have to take seriously.

In manufacturing, we may be a few steps away from the direct consumer. But the way we source raw materials or develop innovative solutions will have a direct impact on the products’ marketability and ultimately sales. As markets become increasingly difficult to succeed in, the products and brands that stand out for their sustainability credentials will, if predictions are correct, be the most successful. The onus is on us as manufacturers to continue to drive that from the bottom up.

Sustainability but not at all costs

We are facing a challenge with the world’s economies and in many markets around the globe with rising prices for pretty much everything. Those facts are inescapable, and they are impacting manufacturing across the globe. Many of us are not in that luxurious position of throwing resources at a wide variety of sustainability projects to see what works. At Eumar Technology, we, like many, have had to prioritise the areas where we can make an impact and do so cost effectively and in a way that aligns with our investment and growth for 2025. I cannot see that changing in the foreseeable future, but we will not change our commitment to sustainability and to a healthier planet for all the reasons I have explained.

This is the reality many organisations are facing through 2025 and 2026 but there is no doubting that implementing sustainability innovations can be future proofing. It can help ensure that small businesses remain competitive in a world where environmental responsibility is increasingly valued by consumers, partners, and some policymakers. By continuing to act, small businesses can secure economic and environmental benefits while contributing to a more sustainable future. What’s not to like!

Illustration credit: Karacis Studio