Following a fantastic initial response and continued demand for their Waste Producers Academy Course, aimed at supporting print and signage businesses within the Graphics community, FESPA UK are excited to announce the launch of the next stage in their academy project, the Supplier Course, which will be available from the 30th November.
Held in the Sustainability Training Room at their HQ in South Yorkshire, Jon Hutton FESPA UK’s Sustainability lead, will deliver these 1-day courses that have been designed to either integrate a mixed group of businesses and provide them with the opportunity to network and share ideas, or are adapted specifically to focus on an individual supplier and their products.
Jon FESPA UK Sustainable Waste Consultant is uniquely positioned within the UK printing industry to specialise in Sustainability Management. Jon is a recognised figure, industry speaker, and passionate about the continual improvement of sustainability and developing a circular economy.
Jon Hutton, FESPA UK’s Sustainability lead said ‘’With retail and consumer focus firmly fixed on the damaging environmental effects of manufacturing around the world, brand owners, print consumers, printers and suppliers are seeing the demand for being more environmentally aware. This is not only impacting directly on supply chain choices, but also needs to be promoted and reinforced by key suppliers to ensure the changes are implemented. Now is therefore the perfect opportunity for suppliers to understand and promote the environmental credibility of their products.
Customers wanting to know the truth about the sustainability of supplier’s product’s is now high on the agenda, and the truth is often challenging due to the complexity of graphics materials and the waste and recycling industries limitations. Forthcoming Greenwashing Regulations have added an extra layer to the whole topic of providing accurate information around the subject. This course will deliver answers to all these areas and give suppliers the confidence they need to address and navigate these subjects of their products and services.’’
Having developed FESPA UK’s Waste Management Accreditation over 2 years ago, and with dozens of members managing to navigate sustainability, and cost-effective waste systems, Suzi & Jon strongly believe that change needs to be embraced throughout the entire supply chain. By educating suppliers and giving them the tools to discuss material choices openly, honestly and with confidence, they can start to change the material perception, improve customer relationships, and ultimately increase sales.
Suzi Ward, Managing Director of FESPA UK said “Suppliers are in a unique position to offer change, they have a responsibility, and now opportunity, to educate themselves and their customers in sustainability and best practices. We look at the Life Cycle Analyse of products with them to not only consider material options, but also waste and end-of-campaign. They will attain the knowledge to look at what the client currently has in place and confidently discuss environment impacts. While it is preferable to promote sustainable materials such as fiberboard, we all know that these products aren’t always a valid option and plastic may be more relevant to a job, so suppliers should be able to advise their clients on the reality, and often overall benefits, of their products choices.
The supplier course has been written to help educate suppliers to understand how to confidently promote and sell their products from a sustainable position. It will arm them with the knowledge of what can be achieved and the reality and understanding of the UK waste and recycling industries. By supporting their clients in this way, they will increase customer confidence in their brand.”
FESPA UK’s supplier courses are relevant to business owners, managers, right through to the sales teams who visit and discuss product options with clients. The course focuses on the 4 key product categories that are widely used throughout Print, Signage and Graphics, looking at disposal options for paper & board, ridged plastic, flexible plastic and self-adhesive.
Courses will be delivered from 10am to 3pm and will include lunch and an opportunity to network and share ideas with other likeminded people.
Supplier Course Launch Date 30th November – Held at FESPA UK HQ, Barnsley S70 1XY.
FESPA UK members will receive a discount on the course fee.
For more information or to book a course contact Suzi Ward at suzi.ward@fespauk.com
