Focus SB’s three factories are located in St Leonards on Sea in East Sussex, near to the coast and countryside. Our designers and mechanical engineers have long been at the forefront of the research and development of innovative and sustainable solutions in response to rapidly emerging technologies and environmental challenges.

Quality management system certified, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint by taking all appropriate measures to minimise any impact on the environment throughout the business, from operational to manufacturing processes. The major initiatives include:

We have increased the number of product ranges/finishes which use a fully biodegradable fibreweb bag. We have done this for two reasons, one to improve the protection of the product and secondly to reduce the amount of single use plastics in our packaging. We commit to increasing this across more of our ranges over time.

At the start of 2020 we implemented a paperless office initiative and have introduced energy efficient LED lighting into our factories via funding from The Low Carbon Across the South and East Programme (LOCASE).

Wherever possible we choose our supply chain partners from the local area or within the UK.

All brochures and printed items are printed on paper made from 100% sustainable sources and are bleach free where possible.

Participation in the Government Cycle to Work Scheme.

In 2021 we were formally recognised as an industry leader with an invitation to join the UK trade association for our sector BEAMA. We recognise that to ensure the future of sustainable manufacturing it’s vital to embrace opportunities to play our part. We welcome the opportunity to influence UK and international government policy and the regulatory direction of electrical industry standards, alongside our peers.

Focus SB pledges significant ‘green energy’ investment plans and in June 2022 we became the first business in the local area to install solar power at our main factory. We are actively investing in new technology and initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint. The same year we changed to a green energy supplier at contract renewal with the supplier’s credentials taking priority over cost.

Investment in laser marking technology enables us to offer a standard alternative service to screen printing, for improved fine detail quality and to significantly limit the use of environmentally-damaging consumables and reduce waste.

We have a policy to move over to 100% electric/hybrid vehicles as older vehicles are up for renewal, increasing efficiency and reducing emissions, and we have installed two charging points on our Napier Road head office site.

Our long standing memberships of the Make UK and Made in Britain organisations provide valuable support and a collective voice for UK companies stepping up to the sustainability challenge and a greener manufacturing future.

Our corporate videos enable us to showcase factory processes, products and project support services, reducing the necessity for customers to travel to our premises.

Recycling

We are committed to minimising plastic packaging and disposing of chemical waste responsibly and have implemented the following:

The recycling of all of our chemicals from our lacquering plant through a specialist environmental cleaning company.

In March 2020 we introduced recyclable product packaging for all our standard products, replacing non recyclable cartons and polythene bags, drastically reducing our use of plastic and helping to tackle plastics pollution.

Brass material supplied to us is made with up to 80% recycled material and is 100% recyclable.

Our stainless steel waste is recycled through an authorised metal recycler.

Waste acrylic material (Prism faceplate style) is recycled through a local waste collection business along with our waste cardboard, paper waste and metal cans.

Waste paint from our spray shop is collected in a water extraction system and recycled.

Waste solvent from our degreaser is contained in a 100% enclosed loop system which is collected and recycled.