Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility is the way in which a business contributes to a better society by actively engaging and consulting with the stakeholders of their business, it is when a firm goes beyond what is legally expected of them takes the actions required to produce some social good through their actions.
Heat Merchants believes that implementing and developing its Corporate Social Responsibility policies is a fundamental part of its operations. CSR is a sustainable approach to business that benefits all stakeholders: customers, employees, shareholders, as well as communities in general. Therefore Heat Merchants is committed to delivering on its CSR policies.
At Heat Merchants we see Corporate Social Responsibility as the pillars on which our organisation stands. We have 4 key area of concern which our strategy is based around.
By ensuring that we act responsibility in each of the key area we hope to ensure that all stake holders benefit from our existence.
The Customer
We want to be customers’ first choice for quality, value and service. Relationships based on mutual trust will help us deliver the solutions that anticipate and meet our customers’ needs
Customer Service
Customer Service is paramount to our business and we are committed to further developing our services. We wish to ensure each and every customer has a pleasurable experience with us.
In order to motivate our staff to deliver this service we have launched our Customer Service Champion Awards. We ask our customers to nominate an employee that shines so that we can reward them for what they do naturally.
Supply Partner Policy
Heat Merchants values customers and we insist that all products supplied are of the highest quality, fit-for-purpose and are produced in ethical and environmentally considerate ways. As well as fulfilling all the necessary legislative requirements, Heat Merchants insists that products are of ‘professional’ quality and are backed-up by support services designed to exceed customers' expectations.
Heat Merchants have a Supply Partner Policy where supply partners are encouraged to be involved in the whole process from delivery through to sales. Heat Merchants sees the supply chain as a partnership arrangement, with each participant playing an active role in ensuring that high quality products are delivered right, first time, and at a competitive price. Supply partners are encouraged to participate in initiatives and development plans that foster a cycle of continuous improvement to further enhance value added products and services.
Value
At Heat Merchants we feel that value is paramount to our customers, will always do our best to ensure our customers receive the best value we can offer. BHT have recently launched a trade and discount card which our customers can use to avail of discounts in our sister branch Tubs & Tiles
Quality
Heat Merchants seeks to continually improve all aspects of its business by agreeing a total quality environment from its suppliers, through stocking and distributing to its customers.
All Heat Merchants employees are made fully aware of their responsibilities in understanding, implementing and maintaining this policy by following the procedures documented in the Quality Manual, the Systems and Accounting Manual and the Manager’s Administration Manual
The Community
We will contribute to the well being of the societies in which we operate through our business activities and the skills of our people.
Heat Merchants believes strongly in providing support to the communities in which they operate. With over 40 stores nationwide Heat Merchants has a strong presence throughout the country.
Many of our Branches are involved in local sponsorship and we also have trade initiatives which sees local sports club benefit from the sales we make to their members. We feel that rather than having country wide campaign it is more appropriate that the branches can provide sponsorships to the clubs and communities to whom they have a relationship with.
Each year our parent company BHT sponsor a star on the Focus Ireland Christmas Tree. This is something which is very close to the heart of the organisation, because we believe that every person has the right to a place they call home.
The Environment
In respect of the environment, we are committed to continuously improving our environmental performance, preventing pollution arising from our activities, products and services, and meeting applicable legal and other requirements.
Heat Merchants Environmental Policy
In order ensure we achieve our environmental goals Heat Merchants have developed An Environmental Policy. Our policy deals with a variety of issues such as waste management, carbon management and resource efficiency.
- Our policy we set out targets for improvement
- We seek to prevent pollution through emission controls
- We seek opportunities to reduce, reuse and recycle our materials and resources.
- We also work in partnership with our suppliers to ensure effective environmental supply chain management and we also promote the sustainable sourcing of products and materials.
Our environmental policy is communicated to all employees and is reviewed at regular intervals
Energy Efficient Center
Heat Merchants also not only ensured that they act in a responsible manner towards the environment but also they have now made it easier for our customers to be energy efficient, with the launch of our Energy Efficient Center in our Store in Naas
The Heat Merchant Energy Efficiency Center showcases a large product range such as insulation and air tightness solutions, as well as the expected range of solar panels, wood pellet burners, air to air heat pumps and heat recovery ventilation units .In the store our staff are also on hand to give you the best advice and products which can help you create an energy efficient home.
To cement our commitment to the new Center, Heat Merchants are using the products to power the branch. Currently, the store is using a pellet stove, pellet boiler and a heat pump to generate heating water in a buffer tank. We are using solar panels to heat water for our staff to use for washing hands and alongside, we are using very low wattage LED down lighters to light the showroom which are sensor controlled.
The Workplace
We want to attract, develop and motivate the best people. We will create a working environment that is open, honest and unprejudiced and which encourages people to achieve their full potential. We will value people’s individual and team contributions, and offer opportunities to share in the company’s commercial success.
Heat Merchants has launched our Core Values in the workplace and all employees have being informed of what they can expect from the company and also what is expected of them.
The company has 2 key values regarding employees
Respect
Heat Merchants believe that respect is an important issue that will ensure that all employees feel valued in the workplace
We should treat people as we would like to be treated
- We trust people to do a good job
- We always act with honesty and integrity
- We are fair and open with our people and we always reward them for their contribution
- Our leaders always set the right example
- We listen to what our people say and we engage with them.
United
BHT Group is the parent company of all our brands, the brands which come under the group are: Brooks, Heat Merchant, Electrical Merchant Tubs and Tiles and Tile Giant .Due to the large number of brands we feel that it is important that we act in a consistent manner so that all employees are treated the same
We work together as one team
- We Show Pride in all our brands
- We are passionate about the success of Heat Merchants
- We share ideas and experience across the whole business
- We do not operate independently
Social club
At Heat Merchant we feel that life work balance is very important, and to encourage a friendly working environment we have a sports and social club that has a large number of members who arrange annual events and prize draws for employees
Equal Opportunities
Heat Merchants’s objective is to ensure that the talents and resources of employees are utilised to the full and that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, marital status, social class, colour, race, ethnic origin, creed, age, sexual orientation or disability or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be relevant to performance.
Health and Safety
In accordance with The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Heat Merchants ensure the health and safety of their employees whilst at work. This duty also extends to others who may be affected by that work.
To enable these duties to be carried out, it is our intent to ensure that responsibilities for health and safety matters are effectively assigned, accepted and fulfilled at all levels within the structure of our organisation
This health and safety policy will be reviewed at least annually, amended and updated as and when necessary. Communication of any such changes will be made to all employees
We will ensure that
- Risk assessments are carried out
- All employees are provided with information, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure their safety at work and the safety of others who may be affected by their actions.
- The place of work is safe and that there is safe access to and egress from the work place. Monitoring activities are undertaken to maintain agreed standards
It is the duty of all employees at work
To take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts at work and cooperate with us in fulfilling our statutory duties. Not to interfere or misuse anything provided in the interest of health and safety.
Commitment
As a demonstration of our commitment to the highest standards of health and safety, the managing directors of each division/region of Heat Merchants have been given overall responsibility for the health and safety performance of their division/region.