Independent Builders Merchant’s Group (IBMG) is the largest building materials distributor in the South of England, formed through more than 20 acquisitions made since the start of 2018. While IBMG has retained many of the strong local brands across its business, it operates as one integrated company led by a single management team.
IBMG is committed to each of our employees, to the communities where our people work and live, and to the environment we all share.
Along with our commitment to operate responsibly, our Environmental & Sustainability plan plays a huge part in our goal to become the best local merchant to work for and do business with, delivering the best returns for those involved. We will do this by integrating our business values and operations to meet the needs and expectations of interested parties including but not limited to clients, employees, contractors, suppliers, community and the environment.
The policies and procedures endorsed and employed by the Organisation including social, environmental and sustainability, health and safety, employment and ethical, will be communicated to all staff and will be reviewed at Management Review meetings to ensure compliance to relevant legislation and to maintain, review and refine procedures accordingly.
IBMG is committed to sustainable business practices that minimise environmental impact, promote social responsibility, and support economic growth. As a materials supplier in the UK, we recognise our role in driving sustainable practices throughout our supply chain and delivering value to our stakeholders.
Our Environmental & Sustainability Policy prioritises environmentally friendly sourcing practices, including using recycled materials, minimising waste, promoting sustainable transportation, adhering to ethical labour standards, and demonstrating transparency in supply chain origins, while complying with all relevant UK regulations like the Modern Slavery Act, aiming to reduce our overall environmental impact and promote responsible business practices across our operations.
This policy is supported by our sustainability strategy and delivered through collaboration with our supply chain.
Policy Objectives
Our sustainability policy is guided by the following principles:
- Environmental Stewardship: Reduce environmental impacts through responsible sourcing, efficient resource use, and waste minimisation.
- Social Responsibility: Foster safe, fair, and inclusive work environments while positively contributing to the communities we serve.
- Economic Integrity: Support long-term profitability by integrating sustainable practices into our operations and value chain.
Commitments
IBMG is committed to but not limited to the following:
1. Environmental Sustainability
- Sustainable Sourcing: Prioritise materials from suppliers that adhere to environmentally friendly and ethical practices, including certifications such as FSC, PEFC, and ISO 14001.
- Carbon Reduction: Set and work towards science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across our operations and supply chain. Seek suppliers with efficient transportation methods to reduce carbon emissions. Implementation of an Organisation Carbon Reduction Planand a commitment to achieve Net Zero.
- Waste Management: Promote a circular economy by reducing, reusing, and recycling materials where possible.
- Energy Efficiency: Invest in energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources to minimise carbon footprints. Encourage suppliers to optimise energy usage in their production processes.
- Energy Efficiency: Invest in energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources to minimise carbon footprints. Encourage suppliers to optimise energy usage in their production processes.
2. Social Responsibility
- Ethical Labor Practices: Ensure compliance with UK labour laws, including modern slavery prevention, and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within our workforce.
- Community Engagement: Support local communities through job creation, partnerships, and charitable initiatives.
- Health & Safety: Maintain the highest standards of workplace health and safety for employees, contractors, and visitors.
3. Governance and Accountability
- Transparency: Publish annual sustainability reports to communicate progress and challenges.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with customers, suppliers, and industry organisations to drive sustainable innovation.
- Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and update this policy to reflect best practices and evolving standards.
Implementation and Monitoring
- Training and Awareness: Equip employees and suppliers with the knowledge and tools needed to support our sustainability objectives.
- KPIs and Metrics: Establish measurable targets for sustainability performance and review progress quarterly.
- Third-party Audits: Conduct periodic audits to ensure compliance with environmental and social standards.
IBMG believes that sustainability is integral to our business success. By embedding sustainability into our operations, we aim to create lasting value for our customers, employees, communities, and the planet. This policy applies to all employees and other personnel engaged in IBMG operations.
Martin Stables
Chief Executive Officer
