Page 17 - BOSS Today Issue 63

BOSS Today #63 BOSS SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS BOSS Today #63

BOSS
BOSS Special BT: What are the key opportunities make such significant progress due SC: The forum is a place where we are SUSTAINABILITY
VIRTUAL

CONFERENCE
to the capital cost related to many
able to share thoughts, ideas and
for members who engage with the
29TH APRIL
initiatives; 3M’s progress in developing
Environmental Forum?
concerns about the industry and have
BOOK HERE
Interest ME: To develop sector leading practices BT: What are the SIG’s priorities for the honest and open conversations. Very SC: Close working relationships between
carbon footprints for every product in
its range is particularly impressive.
often our members will ask me for my
that will create competitive
opinion on industry related topics, and
advantages for increasingly
it is really helpful to be able to build a
next 12 months.
environmentally aware and
manufacturers, wholesalers and
wider perspective into my answer, as
Groups (SIGs) BT: How can businesses of different ME: The principal objectives of the BT: How would you describe the dealer groups is vital. When building
demanding customers
opposed to just giving my own views.
supplier relationships, I have always
worked on a triangle basis with the
meeting remain to Educate and
consumer at one point, the dealer and
sizes benefit from participating in
Forum’s role in supporting and
Inform the industry and encourage
the Forum’s discussions, resources,
and initiatives? dialogue between members to representing independent dealers dealer group at the next point and
encourage best practices. In 2026 we
through their dealer groups?
the manufacturer and wholesaler at
have restructured the meeting format the third point. Whatever is agreed
ME: The Environmental Forum is the to focus on a specific Environmental SC: The information that dealers pass into and put in place, has to work equally
BOSS SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS ALLOW SECTORS OF THE only BOSS SIG which is open to all Area in each meeting and provide a their respective groups is very often for all three points on the triangle; if
INDUSTRY TO COME TOGETHER TO TACKLE TOPICAL INDUSTRY levels of the supply chain regardless more detailed investigation into these worth its weight in gold. As a forum it doesn’t work for one, it simply will
not work for the other two. With that
of the organisation size so everyone
areas.
we can collectively work through the
CHALLENGES, LEARN FROM MARKET LEADERS, AND SHARE can benefit from the education and information that we have been given in mind, all of us in the supply chain
EXPERIENCES. ALL OF THESE FORUMS ARE CHAIRED information which the Forum provides. BT: What would you say to members and, where required, decide on what have to take equal responsibility for
who are considering getting
ensuring that the consumer is fully
actions we may wish to take for the
VOLUNTARILY BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS. BT: Are there any upcoming pieces of involved for the first time? greater good. aware of, and has easy access to, new
legislation or government policy and existing products and services.
changes that members should be ME: Join the Environmental Forum to BT: What are the biggest challenges As dealer groups and dealers, we
preparing for? And how do you see play your part in ensuring that the dealer groups and their members need to support the manufacturers
OSS Today (BT) spoke with each BT: Why is it important for our these regulatory shifts influencing business supplies industry is a leader are likely to face over the next 12 and wholesalers by attending events,
Bof our SIG Chairs to uncover the industry to have a dedicated the environmental agenda for our in Sustainability and the Environment months? roadshows etc, so that we have a full
purpose of their forums, the key issues Environmental Forum? sector? whilst creating competitive advantage understanding of everything that we
shaping discussions, the challenges they for your own business. SC: The sudden and very sad demise do have access to.
anticipate in the year ahead, and the ME: Global warming and its catastrophic ME: Whilst it is a fact that under the of Exertis Supplies shows just how
priorities guiding their work. impact on our environment is a major current government the flow of quickly things can change within BT: What are the Forum’s priorities
issue for our times. It is vital that all Environmental legislation and our industry. I really hope that I am for the year ahead?
individuals and organisations play policy changes has slowed down wrong, but I can’t help but think that
their part in addressing the problem it has not ceased. The next new there may be other supply chain SC: We need to keep gathering
and the Environmental Forum ensures piece of legislation which will have a casualties in the year ahead, and information from the dealers, as they
that the business supplies industry significant impact on BOSS members’ Dealer Group Forum the challenge for dealer groups and are at the coalface and always have
has the information, encouragement operations will be the introduction of The forum exists to highlight issues its members is how we adapt when a good grasp on what is happening
and skills to develop best practices. a Deposit Return scheme for plastic that affect dealers operating within the we are faced with these situations. I in the market place. From that
Environmental Forum bottles and cans in 2027. This may business supplies industry and provide think it is a case of having to pre-empt information we can prioritise what
The environmental forum exists to BT: Where do you feel the SIG has made require some members to invoice, a conduit where these issues can be fed various scenarios and collectively
highlight issues affecting companies in the the greatest impact so far - whether recover and return deposits on all back to the wider industry or taken to work through the ‘what ifs.’ This again
business supplies industry and provide in awareness, collaboration, or sales of these products which would government. is where the dealer group leaders
a conduit where these issues can be fed tangible change across the sector? be a new operation. forum plays a really important role, in We need to keep
back to the wider industry or taken to sharing information and supporting
government. ME: The Environmental Forum educates BT: What innovations or initiatives each other. gathering information
and informs all levels of the business from members have particularly from the dealers, as they
supplies supply chain in both current impressed or inspired you recently? BT: How can closer collaboration
and future legislation and developments between dealer groups, wholesalers, are at the coalface and
in sustainability and the environment. ME: Wholesalers and Resellers such as Chair: Steve Carter, Managing Director, Advantia and manufacturers strengthen the always have a good grasp
It also encourages best practice through VOW, Lyreco and Red Inc continuously overall industry?
a sharing of information and initiatives impress with initiatives that support BT: Why is it important for the business on what is happening in
Chair: Martin Eames amongst members. This enables the their total commitment to the supplies industry to have a dedicated the market place.
industry to “stay ahead of the game” environment. However, whilst it is Forum for dealer group leaders?
in this rapidly changing area. more difficult for manufacturers to

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