17 November 2015

Costain’s commitment to leading a sustainable supply chain took another step recently when the Company joined the Supply Chain Sustainability School (SCSS), an industry-led initiative designed to collate and spread best practice in sustainability throughout the UK construction industry.

Originally formed by an independent organisation, Action Sustainability, the SCSS brings together major UK construction companies and key clients such as National Grid and High Speed 2 – all of whom act as ‘Partners’ to the school. The Partners help deliver a common approach in addressing sustainability issues across the industry.

Costain will play an active role in the SCSS with influence over its content and delivery, as well as having representatives on several working groups covering sustainable performance management, social value and ethical procurement.

There are several benefits from joining the school, said Aidan Franks, Costain’s Supply Chain Manager for Rail.

“We as an industry need to be more consistent in what we ask of our supply chains, so that they are not delivering differing standards to their customers depending on varying requirements. If they can work to the highest common denominator this will be beneficial to their business and to the industry.

“The whole purpose of the school is to collectively improve standards and address sustainability issues, now and in the future.”

The school works by providing Costain suppliers, who are being asked to sign up to it, free-of-charge practical support through a series of e-learning modules, online resources, tailored self-assessments that assist in developing action plans, sustainability training, workshops and supplier days. The last of these provides valuable networking opportunities.

James York, Costain’s Corporate Responsibility Manager, is very clear about why the Company has joined the school: “Any company is only as strong as its supply chain. At Costain we are very proud of our hugely diverse supply chain, one that includes industry-leading specialists, innovators and SMEs.

“Fascinatingly what binds them all together is the sustainability issues that we all face. The more we can do to help them develop, but equally learn from them, too, the stronger we will be positioned to ‘Meet National Needs’ now and in the future.”

Costain is also a founding member of the Offsite School, which focuses on offsite manufacturing and is directly aligned to Costain’s Factory Thinking approach. Costain is hosting a Supplier Day event on November 18 in Coventry and Steve Fozard, Head of Supply Chain (Water Sector) is delighted the event has been so well received.

“We are delighted with the uptake of this event as it is the first that Costain has hosted," he said. "Due to demand we’ve had to close registration two weeks early. The event will be opened by David Taylor, Group Commercial Director and a representative from HS2 will be presenting. Customers including Severn Trent, Southern Water, Thames Water and Network Rail are also attending.”

It is envisaged that the Offsite School will showcase product innovation and showcase Costain’s commitment to delivering value to its customers.

 

Ends

 

Media Enquiries 
Costain Communications Department 
01628 842585
[email protected]