autumn 2007 trade suppliers of washroom and cleaning products
www.futures-supplies.co.uk  
020 8689 2072

contents

 
 
 
welcome  
I think I am suffering from 'Green Fatigue'. However, face it, 'Green' is the new 'Black' and in this Autumn Issue of our newsletter, I hope we can help inspire you to get going with some green initiatives.
 
It matters not whether you believe that man is inducing climate change, Britain is to become the first in the world to introduce legally binding targets for reducing carbon emissions and 'green tape' aside, don't we all have a responsibility to safeguard our planets' resources for our children and future generations?
 
Where to start, my philosophy has been a simple one, to do one thing every day that makes a difference and that adds up to a lot of things! You could look at your purchasing - supporting environmental demands to bring a more natural alternative cleaning product range to our customers saw our successful launch of Ecover this year. Ecological products from an ecological factory delivered by a responsible company - give them a try and I'm sure you'll be impressed. Our award success continues and we are proud to have formalised our environmental initiatives by gaining certification to BS EN ISO 14001.
 
Read about our continuing commitment to the 'Employability Scheme' with a further work placement. Believing if we can change just one young life, the impact will be unequivocal and indisputable on the future - have a great read!
 
 
Mandie Kemp
Managing Director
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excellence achieved

  
 

L-R: Peter Pledger presents the
award to Andrew Hills
 
Futures Supplies swept the board at the 2007 'South London Business Awards' collecting not one, but three prestigious awards, including the highest accolade on the evening of 'South London Company of the Year'.
 
Recognising enterprise and dynamic entrepreneurship, the Business Awards represent the cream of South London businesses. In a total of eight award categories, Futures Supplies walked away with the 'South London Company of the Year', 'Customer Service' and 'Small Business Award', proving that a small business can lead the way in the business world.
 
The winners were selected by a high-powered panel of judges headed by Phil Walker, Director of the Royal Bank of Scotland who commented, "Mandie Kemp is an excellent ambassador for South London business. Her company, Futures Supplies & Support Services Ltd impressed the judges and she has been awarded three trophies including South London Company of The Year, the highest accolade and proving that excellence can be achieved in all areas of business."
 
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tracey runs for life

  

As a way of giving back and supporting good causes, Futures Supplies supports a number of charities as well as encouraging and supporting members of staff to actively take part in fund raising events.

 
This summer, Futures Supplies representative Tracey Holden entered the Croydon Race for Life to raise money for Cancer Research UK. With over 280 Race for Life events taking place across the UK throughout the summer, Tracey ran the 5km course along with over 2,800 women hoping to raise an amazing £290,000 to go towards a national target of £60 million.
 

Tracey ran the race in a heart stoping time of thirty-five minutes and managed to raise the phenomenal amount of £800, much of which came through the sponsorship of Futures Supplies' generous customers and suppliers.

 
Wholehearted thanks goes to them all and of course to Tracey for her participation in such a worthwhile event.
 
To find out how you can help a charity, visit our website for charity links.
 
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a chance to flourish

  

 

Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to supporting the local community by its participation in Croydon's 'Employability Scheme' over the past 3 years, Futures is continuing to help disadvantaged young people into regular employment.

 
Providing these kids with valuable work experience, building their confidence and self esteem and giving advice and guidance is invaluable to their future and engages staff, customers, suppliers and the local community.
 
Recently Solange Mbiya has joined the team through the 'Employability Scheme' as a General Office Assistant on a ten-week placement. Originally from the Congo in Central Africa, Solange who is just 20 has been in the UK for three years. Having taken a course in English, achieved an NVQ Level One in Health & Social Care, and completed a part-time course in Microsoft Word, she had been unsuccessful in gaining workplace experience or a job opportunity.
 
Grateful for the opportunity Futures Supplies has provided, Salonge's responsibilities include taking and processing sales orders, database work and general office administration. Solange says, "In my short time at Futures so far, I have already improved my communications and computer skills and the company will be a great place to improve my overall confidence in the workplace."
 
If you are a local company and would like to get involved and realise the benefits of involvement in an active Corporate Social Responsibility project, contact Janine Jasper from The Croydon Commitment at www.thecroydoncommitment.co.uk
 
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a big tick!

  

Futures Supplies has been recognised by demonstrating that it is improving its business and its overall impact on society - in the marketplace, the workplace, the environment and the community.

 
The 'Big Tick' BITC Awards exhibit companies whose Corporate Social Responsibility projects display leadership, integration and sustainability with a WOW factor.
 
The company was not only re-accredited with a 'Big Tick' for its 'Business Impact on Society Award for Small Companies' but was 'Highly Commended' in the 'Impact on London by a Small Company Award' for illustrating how its business operations link to 'Business in the Community's' three commitments:
  • Inspire, innovate and lead by sharing learning and experience
  • Impact on key social issues through, collaborative action in areas of greatest need
  • Integrate, manage and measure responsible business
 
 

To inspire, engage, support and challenge businesses in continually improving their impact in the community, the BITC awards are the most prestigious Corporate Social Responsibility awards in the UK and are rigorously assessed and widely recognised as a powerful benchmark of good corporate practice.

 
Dan Hills, Operations Manager presented and provided hard evidence of the impact of Futures Supplies' environmental and corporate social responsibility activities to a panel of judges and illustrated how its business operations link to BITC's three commitments.
 
Collecting the award, Dan Hills said "It is a great achievement and testament to the efforts of the whole company in its collaborative actions to address and support young people through its CSR programme and drive forward its environmental project. To be recognised with these prestigious accolades can only be seen as a great step forward in encouraging and inspiring other businesses to get involved and act in a socially responsible way."
 
For more details visit our awards page
 
 
 
 
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green credentials endorsed

  

With its already green credentials, Futures Supplies has been addressing the impact of its actions on the environment through the implementation of its environmental policy for many years and has recently formalised its approach to its environmental project by successfully gaining certification BS EN IS0 14001.

 
Already certified to BS8555 and with a string of green awards, to gain and maintain certification, Futures Supplies ensures legislative compliance, records information on the operation of its EMS and demonstrates continual improvement. Increased credibility comes from regular independent assessment to ensure its Environmental Management System continues to meet the requirements of the standard.
 

Continuing to deliver its environmental targets and objectives, Futures Supplies has been working closely with its customers, suppliers and local community to deliver continual improvement to its performance and encourage good environmental practices.
 
An effective EMS certified to ISO 14001 can help an organisation operate in a more cost efficient and environmentally responsible manner by managing its impacts, including those which it can control and influence, while legislation and its own environmental policy.
 
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md elected to board of chsa

  

At the recent CHSA Annual General Meeting, Futures Supplies' Managing Director, Mandie Kemp was elected as a Council member. Launched in the late 1960's, the Cleaning and Hygiene Suppliers Association now represents over 200 manufacturers and distributors across the UK, and is the trade association of suppliers to the cleaning industry. Mandie, who has over 20 years' experience in the washroom and janitorial industry sat on the council back in 1998, developing the first CHSA website and was instrumental in driving forward the soft tissue accreditation in its infancy.

 

David Garcia, CHSA Chairman commented, "We are delighted to welcome Mandie back to Council. Mandie's experience in IT coupled with her wealth of knowledge in ecological matters is going to be an exciting bonus for the Association as a whole. Mandie's success in both areas as applied to her own business stand as proof of her phenomenal ability."
 
 
Representing more than 200 manufacturers and distributors across the UK, the Cleaning and Hygiene Suppliers Association is the Trade association of suppliers to the cleaning industry.
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focus on staff

  


welcome jo riche
 
 
Futures Supplies is delighted to welcome its first female driver, endorsing the company's beliefs in equal opportunities. Before joining the company Jo who is 37, worked at DHL for four years and prior to that, Parcelnet for seven years as a multi-drop driver.
 
 She has a wealth of experience in driving and is extremely knowledgeable in graphical locations, both in London and the surrounding areas.
 
Jo says, "Although I have only been here a short time, I am thoroughly enjoying working for a smaller business. Everyone in the company is really helpful and friendly and the company has a real family feel to it."
 
eight years of innovation from mark kemp
 
No two days are the same for Marc, Futures Supplies' Financial Controller. Responsible for the company's cash flow and accounts, Marc controls the Credit Control and the Sales and Purchase Ledgers' functions within the business, as well as working closely with the Managing Director on special projects. His passion is his 7 year old daughter Megan, fast cars and technology!
 
Marc says, "Futures Supplies is a great place to work as its approach to fast-moving innovation means that I get to test out new technology, which suits me down to the ground."
 
exam success for andy hills
 
 
When Andy is not raising money for charity, involved in activities as the company's 'Green Champion' or carrying out duties as Futures Supplies' Office Supervisor, he is busy at college and has successfully achieved NVQ Level 3 in accountancy. Attending college on a part-time basis funded by Futures Supplies, Andy will now go on to study for an NVQ Level 4 - good luck Andy!
 
Andy says, "It's great that Futures Supplies have supported me with time off and funded my college course, it's a great opportunity to improve my skills."
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focus on customers
- chequers 20 years of success

  
 
Kate Ward
 
 
Gary Jeal
 
 
Paul Jeal
 
Chequers began working with Futures Supplies after hearing of its industry reputation for professionalism and being a very hands-on, caring, family business - a suitable fit with its own company values.
 
The company, which is based close to the Futures Supplies office in Croydon was initially set up in 1987 by two brothers, Gary and Paul Jeal who began window cleaning houses and then moved into flat maintenance and builders' cleans. In 1993 their sister, Kate Ward, joined the company in the position of Head of Sales and Marketing.
 
Chequers continued to grow and is now turning over £3.6m p/a boasting both commercial and industrial divisions. It currently has over 420 employees including a large number of both family and friends who have been a part of the team for a while and give the company that real family feel. In January 2002 after many customer enquiries, a building maintenance division was also added and this currently turns over £1.2m p/a.
 
Seven years ago, Chequers won its first contract to clean a school in South London and is now responsible for forty-nine South London and Croydon schools, which make up over half of the company's annual turnover. The company has also recently been awarded its biggest ever contract for The South London Family Housing Association.
 
Asked why Chequers chose to partner Futures Supplies, Kate Ward, Sales Director commented "Futures Supplies has years of experience working in partnership with contract cleaners and right from the word go, they understood our needs in providing an efficient and reliable service to our customers offering a good all round package. I was confident that we could work in partnership to grow our businesses together in the future."
 
Celebrations for the Chequers' 20th anniversary include a staff fund-raising day where cleaning staff go head to head against building staff in games such as sack races and rounders to raise funds for the Glass Slipper Appeal. This local charity provides valuable funding for the Royal Marsden Hospitals cancer campaign.
 
Information on Chequers and its chosen charity the Glass Slipper Appeal can be found at: www.chequerscontracts.co.uk
 
 
 
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