Tomorrow's earth, today's journey: Exploring pathways to sustainability
Market View
Produced by:
Interview with
Michael Parkin
HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY AND SOLUTIONS, BRIGGS EQUIPMENT
Tomorrow's earth, today's journey: Exploring pathways to sustainability
Market View
Produced by:
Interview with
Michael Parkin
HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY AND SOLUTIONS, BRIGGS EQUIPMENT
About Michael Parkin
Michael Parkin is the Head of Sustainability and Solutions at Briggs Equipment. He ensures the company adheres to its sustainability commitments while developing innovative, eco-friendly solutions for clients. Parkin's role is crucial in aligning Briggs Equipment’s internal practices with customer needs, particularly in sustainability. He focuses on enhancing operational sustainability and supporting clients in achieving their environmental objectives.
How has your recent materiality assessment influenced Briggs Equipment's ESG strategy, particularly regarding environmental initiatives?
Our materiality assessment has been eye-opening, especially when it comes to the environmental aspect of ESG. It's clear that this is where we have the greatest opportunity to make a meaningful impact. While we're performing reasonably well in certain areas, the assessment highlighted the need to integrate our efforts more cohesively.
The environmental initiatives often require significant investment, whether it's in solar panels, EV chargers, or other technologies. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity. We're now focused on developing a comprehensive action plan to address these areas, ensuring that our sustainability efforts are not only impactful but also aligned with our business objectives.
Can you elaborate on how customer feedback has shaped your sustainability practices?
Customer feedback has been the driving force behind our sustainability journey. Initially, our customers were enquiring about sustainable solutions we could offer in terms of products and services to aid their own sustainability efforts. This led us to develop a robust suite of options that align well with their needs.
However, the conversation didn't stop there. Increasingly, our customers began asking about our own sustainability efforts, particularly concerning Scope 3 emissions. This pushed us to conduct a thorough materiality assessment at the start of this year, resulting in a detailed action plan.
So, the influence from our customers is twofold: firstly, how we can assist them through our products and services, and secondly, how we are enhancing our own operations to support their Scope 3 requirements. This customer-centric approach has really shaped our sustainability strategy and keeps us accountable.
It's not about claiming we're leading the pack or lagging behind; it's about acknowledging our current position and planning for a more sustainable future.
How do Briggs Equipment's products contribute to reducing emissions?
Our focus is on providing materials handling equipment that produces zero emissions. We frequently engage with our customers about hydrogen solutions and electrification. Additionally, we offer alternative fuels like HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) which serve as interim solutions.
While these alternatives may not achieve zero emissions outright, they significantly improve efficiency—up to 90% or more compared to traditional diesel options. This substantially reduces carbon footprints for our customers. We're constantly exploring and developing new technologies that can make a real difference in emissions reduction.
What challenges do you face in managing sustainability within your supply chain, particularly regarding transparency and sourcing practices?
Managing sustainability in our supply chain is one of our biggest challenges. We have a diverse range of suppliers, from large multinational corporations to smaller SMEs, each at different stages of their sustainability journey. The key is to understand their sustainability practices and ensure they align with our goals.
Transparency is a significant issue, particularly when it comes to sourcing critical minerals and understanding the impacts of mining practices. Some suppliers are hesitant or unable to provide clear information. We do our best to inquire, but the reality is that compliance varies widely. This is further complicated by the fact that we deal with suppliers from various regions, each governed by different regulations.
We're addressing this by adapting our procurement policies to be more stringent with new suppliers. We're also working on improving our data collection and verification processes. It's an ongoing challenge, but it's crucial for ensuring that our solutions meet both our and our customers' sustainability needs.
Customer feedback has been the driving force behind our sustainability journey.
How do you approach collaboration and honesty in your sustainability efforts?
I'm a firm believer in the power of honesty and collaboration when it comes to sustainability. It's not about claiming we're leading the pack or lagging behind; it's about acknowledging our current position and planning for a more sustainable future.
We're examining our business, asking ourselves how we can improve, and being transparent about our journey. This approach has resonated much better with our customers than making bold claims without a solid action plan.
Collaboration is key, even with competitors, because achieving greater sustainability requires open dialogue and shared efforts. It's a topic that unites us all. We shouldn't shy away from these challenges but instead approach them with integrity and a willingness to learn and improve together.
How do you balance the social and governance aspects of ESG with environmental initiatives?
While our environmental initiatives are a key focus area, we're quite advanced in the social and governance aspects of our ESG strategy. It's not just about traditional sustainability metrics; it's also about the broader impact, including how educated our staff are about sustainability and the overall culture of our organisation.
We've received positive feedback about our team's spirit and the atmosphere within our company. This is a testament to our board of directors and senior management in embedding a culture that prioritises well-being and sustainability in our business. It's a powerful affirmation of our approach and shows that sustainability goes beyond just environmental concerns.
Balancing these aspects is crucial. While we continue to push forward with our environmental initiatives, we're also ensuring that our social and governance practices remain strong. This holistic approach to ESG is what will drive long-term success and create real value for our stakeholders.
Collaboration is key, even with competitors, because achieving greater sustainability requires open dialogue and shared efforts.
About Briggs Equipment UK
Briggs Equipment UK, part of the global Briggs International group, is a leading provider of materials handling solutions across the United Kingdom. The company specialises in the sale, service, and rental of high-quality industrial machinery, including forklifts and warehouse equipment. With a focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability, Briggs Equipment UK delivers solutions that enhance operational productivity and safety while meeting clients' evolving eco-friendly needs.
