TIMCO is committed to making sustainable development a core focus of our business, accompanied by a set of clear objectives. Following the acquisition of TIMCO by Bufab, we are adopting the sustainability policies that cover the wider network of companies in the group.
Bufab’s ambition is to be the leading global player in sustainability within our field. As part of the Bufab Group, TIMCO is also committed to delivering the same five, key pledges by 2031.
Products now reviewed
Products now using packaging made with a minimum of 30% recycled plastic
Products being refreshed to become more eco-friendly
Parcels delivered on all-electric vehicles in April 2024
Kilograms of CO₂ saved on all-electric vehicle deliveries in April 2024
For us, sustainable development is one that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This is a key part of the group’s ‘Invest’ corporate value and integrated into our day-to-day business.
The three pillars of sustainability: Social, Economic and Environmental are taken into consideration when making decisions. Being completely transparent can support the right actions and our progress will be reported via this dedicated section of the company’s website.
Used internally by TIMCO is supplied from renewable sources
As a Bufab company, TIMCO complies with the UN Global Compact, the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.
Social Sustainability promotes the health and well-being of colleagues by giving them equal opportunities and access to the resources to support their families socially and economically.
TIMCO is fully compliant with the Packaging Waste Regulations. Declarations are made to the Environment Agency to account for all our packaging obligations. We keep detailed records for all inbound and outbound packaging.
The company’s PIM can effectively provide customers with a summary of packaging information. All supplier data relating to packaging is accurately recorded. New and dedicated attributes have been specifically created within the PIM.
The TIMCO Product Catalogue 2023 Edition is physically smaller than the previous A4 versions. Our chosen supplier is FSC certified and the catalogue is 100% recyclable with vegetable-based inks easier to remove from recycled paper.
Alongside donations of stock, we also support education facilities such as Reaseheath College with training activities, ensuring students enjoy a rich learning experience.
Mixed pallets of stock are donated to both local and national charities. Crewe based Men in Sheds encourages local communities to come together to build, fix and restore items as well as build friendships, share skills and knowledge.
TIMCO has recently partnered with Band of Builders – a registered charity dedicated to helping members of the construction industry. Returned stock is donated for specific projects, minimising waste to landfill and contributing to our communities.
On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) 3500 Products already reviewed and updated with OPRL
Recycling and reducing pollution is a common practice for economic sustainability.
Relevant circular economy strategies help us not only in reducing waste but also in finding innovative and effective solutions to address our customers’ needs and strengthen our economic growth by adding value to our products and services.
We have enrolled our top ten suppliers into the Bufab Supplier Engagement Programme. The programme effectively captures supplier data and information as well as audit, evaluate, improve performance and drive innovation.
TIMCO is one of the first wholesale companies to utilise the OPRL recycling logos to highlight our eco-credentials. The highly recognisable icons ensure the end user can dispose of our packaging in the most suitable way.
TIMCO has partnered with Bees in Our Community to provide more than 300 local community beehives by supplying pallet wood for the construction process.
The Product and Packaging functions employ a piece of software to maximise the amount of product (within height and weight limitations) on every shipping consignment. Dedicated packing manuals ensure compliance from the placement of order to delivery.
Following a recent tender process and internal project, TIMCO has reduced the number of cartons required for outbound packaging by 10% versus the previous year.
Financial incentives are offered for customers purchasing in carton quantities. By doing this, we are reducing the need to utilise additional cartons for distribution purposes.
of virgin plastic reduced by 2024
TIMCO takes a holistic perspective, from source to consumption and end-of-life to reduce or eliminate adverse impacts to the environment.
We implement initiatives that contribute to the resource efficiency of materials such as avoiding the use of single-use non-recyclable plastic.
Our TIMtub, TIMbag & TIMpac ranges are all made with a minimum of 30% recycled plastic totalling over 1,600 products in this packaging.
We are currently trialling wood fibre packaging for an initial range of drill bits totalling 86 lines. Should the trial prove successful, it will be extended to the full Powertool Accessories range. Wood fibre is 100% recyclable and the new wallets clearly display the OPRL icon.
By 2024, TIMCO will only use plastic in its packaging which can either be recycled or is biodegradable.
TIMCO has currently reviewed over 3,500 products and will have undertaken a review of all products by the end of 2023.
Set up working group to understand more about the European Union’s (EU) planned new carbon border tax. It will require importers of certain goods to the EU to purchase digital certificates for each tonne of carbon emissions embedded in their goods.
Active working group to identify ways to reduce the company’s CO2 emissions when manufacturing products in line with Bufab’s overarching Supplier Engagement Programme.
The innovative new developments for our packaging
For C2 Strong-Fix Exterior, C2 Floor-Fix, and C2 Tongue-Fix we are replacing plastic packaging tubs with cardboard. TIMCO is reducing imported plastic by over 3 tonnes a year. The new codes will look familiar, they are the same as the existing tub codes but have “BX” on the end to indicate that they are the boxed equivalent.
We are currently trialling wood fibre packaging for an initial range of drill bits totalling 86 lines. Should the trial prove successful, it will be extended to the full Powertool Accessories range. Wood fibre is 100% recyclable and the new wallets clearly display the OPRL icon.
We are introducing a new hanging display box for sixteen existing door locks and eighteen new products in the Security and Ironmongery range. The boxes are made from FSC sourced card, they are 100% recyclable, will display the OPRL icon, and will have full colour images of the product on the front of the hanging boxes.