The Fine Bedding Company Hospitality Division, part of Trendsetter International, has a deep-rooted commitment to CSR.
Its activity spans the adoption of industry leading sustainability practices and policies to charitable donations to UK organisations.
For more than four years, Trendsetter has focused heavily on reducing its carbon footprint – achieving ECO Factory status for its European operation in 2016.
The factory, that produces all of its bedding products for the hospitality sector, uses 100% energy from renewable sources, recycles 90% of waste and has a 19% lower carbon footprint on key product ranges compared to the industry standard. Over 65% of cotton is from BCI sources (Better Cotton Initiative – ensuring sustainable, ethical cotton production).
In addition, this year the company introduced new products made from recycled plastics – including the Smartdown duvet that’s now part of its hospitality division collection. Smartdown is the first equivalent to down luxury duvets made from post-consumer waste PET. It is made with luxury micro-fibres, hand-blown into cassette construction rather than layered as standard duvet production.
As well as its commitment to sustainable practices, The Fine Bedding Company Hospitality Division also supports a number of local and national charitable causes – providing a combination of products and financial donations.
In 2018 alone the Manchester based team donated more than £4000 worth of bedding to a number of charities alongside staff event fundraising.
Donations included providing bedding to veterans’ charity Walking With The Wounded, Mustard Tree who support people living in poverty and homeless charity EMMAUS.
“Our staff are also committed fundraisers and this year have raised money for Children in Need, MacMillan and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital”, says Claire Watkin from The Fine Bedding Company Hospitality Division.
The team also support Keep Britain Tidy through regular litter picks in the area around their Trafford Park headquarters. “It’s a really effective way to remind people why we are working hard to use recycled materials in our production and products, and it brings the team together behind our green mission.”
Claire added: “The business has an entrenched commitment to CSR and we are always happy to support good causes as and when we can.
“Recruitment can be tough these days and loyalty with the younger generation especially, is harder to find. But by being very clear how we operate ethically, we can develop better relationships with staff – they know that we stand for more than profits.
“Environmental concerns and social responsibilities go hand in hand for me, they are intrinsically linked. I think this is partly because we are still family-owned, this is my family’s legacy and I am proud to be able to make a stand. It’s fortunate that these issues resonate so well with our staff and our customers!”
