| CORPORATE & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILTY |
Our commitment to the communities of Greater Manchester
We are committed to working in ways that are good for our business and good for the communities of the Greater Manchester area which we serve. We pledge to contribute to sustainable development and to work with our employees, their families, our local communities and society at large for the good of all.
Working with local businesses
Benchmark assists more than 200 local businesses by providing training and support in subjects such as Health & Safety, and Equality & Diversity. Our work in partnership with 'Tameside Works First', and 'Stockport Boost' has enabled over 20 businesses become accredited local authority suppliers and successfully bid for new business.
Our 'Recession Survival Kit' was launched in response to the credit crunch and has generated more than one million pounds worth of new business for our customers. It provides credit referencing, competitive insurance quotations, and marketing support to independent small local businesses. Benchmark's debt collection and human resource services are also made available, and for example has successfully challenged over £45,000 of bad debt on behalf of third parties, and assisted with contract of employment, CRB checks for customer employees and other certification. And of course we practise what we preach as an equal opportunities employer with more than 65 employees working at our six Greater Manchester trading outlets.
Growing the next generation
Benchmark is a 'marriage bureau' - introducing apprentices and college student to local builders. We arrange free or subsidised training via our partnerships with colleges and skill centres. More than 150 apprentices have been placed with local businesses through our involvement in the last 3 years - and every year we directly take on 5 apprentices into Benchmark Branch Operations.
Taking care of the environment
Benchmark were the first independent building supply merchant in the North West to introduce a dedicated advisor and department - Benchmark Green - specifically to provide advice and products for the sustainable and renewable market. We sponsored the Ecobuild Manchester exhibition, and held our own environmental trade shows at Portland Basin Museum. March 2011 sees the opening of the Benchmark Green showroom at our Ashton depot with displays and advice on the latest energy saving and eco friendly products. Our latest projects sees us completely refurbishing a local high profile Charitable Trust office development using materials which will demonstrate the latest low carbon technologies, and result in cost saving for the future years ahead.
Helping Communities
In recent years Benchmark has grant aided more than £70,000 of diverse community projects including disabled access for schools, new stands and pavilions for sports teams plus sponsorship for nearly twenty amateur clubs and societies. We believe we have a Corporate and Social Responsibility to put things back into the Greater Manchester communities we serve. All our staff are openly encouraged to carry out work in the community for charity functions and fundraising activities.
