SUSTAINABILITY AT SADDLEBACK
As a distributor of premium cycling goods, Saddleback aims for high standards in every facet of how it
conducts its business, including sustainability. Our staff care about preserving the green spaces that we
delight in. The company also looks to create an environment in which staff feel included, trusted, safe and
secure. As a responsible business, we aim to work with those who share these values.
When looking to run a sustainable and ethical business, we work closely with environmental, social and
governance bodies to limit our negative impact and enhance our positive impact.
OUR ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
We are collecting data to reduce our scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions to become a Net Zero business. An external audit for decarbonisation has been performed by the West of England. We are now working with our suppliers to implement any recommendations to reduce our environmental impact. We have reduced our packaging waste and aim to recycle materials where possible.
OUR NEGATIVE IMPACT
We offset our fleet travel with Coco+ and support is given to carbon removal projects, such as the Bhadla Solar Park in Rajastan, India, which runs 10 million solar panels with the capacity to power 4.5 million homes and drive 20 million tonnes of emissions reductions over its duration. We will do the same with our commercial travel.
OUR POSITIVE IMPACT
We have worked hard to reduce the business’s carbon footprint. For the first 100 B2C orders we receive each month, we plant 100 trees in locations such as Madagascar and Tanzania through Ecologi. There are 12 solar panels and two Electric Vehicle charging stations on the premises and by 2027 our fleet will compose of environmetally efficient vehicles. We use electric forklifts rather than diesel and all our internal lights are LED. We’re also researching new internal strategies to reduce our electricity consumption.
OUR OBLIGATIONS
Saddleback has fulfilled its recycling and recovery obligations, in line with the Packaging Producer Responsibility Obligations Regulations. Plastic has been reduced within Saddleback's packaging, which is now largely made from paper or cardboard. We actively encourage our brands and suppliers to adopt sustainable packaging. As well as cardboard, we recycle wooden pallets and don’t allow textiles to go to landfill, preferring to recycle or upcycle them. All waste is used to generate power for a local town.
OUR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
As a business, we strive to create a positive, engaging and supportive atmosphere, in a working environment
where employees feel valued and good health is promoted. Saddleback is committed to ensuring that all our
practices reach and exceed the expectations of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code.
We wholeheartedly agree and comply with the ETI’s base code, which is founded on the conventions of the
International Labour Organisation (ILO) and recognised internationally as a code of good practice. We strive to
keep our workers safe and free from exploitation.
OUR PEOPLE
We are committed to ensuring the
wellbeing of our staff and creating an
enjoyable working environment.
Employees can enroll on a health
cash plan with associated health
rewards including face to face
counselling. Mental health is
safeguarded by training specialist
first aiders, implementing a B.U.D.I.E
system and holding quarterly
staff-wide wellbeing discussions.
We do what we can to ease our
employees financial stress and keep
up with industry wages. We also offer
employees a financial health check
and a life assurance policy is provided
for everyone.
OUR CUSTOMERS
As a purveyor of premium goods and
a business that adheres to the Good
Business Charter, we are committed
to delivering an outstanding
customer service experience. We
respect our customers and their
rights and give priority to the way
customer facing staff treat people.
We display clear information on how
our customers can persue such rights.
Returns and Warranty information is
clearly displayed on our site, as are all the contact details for our business.
OUR SUPPLIERS
We see our suppliers as an extension
of ourselves. As such, we take care to
make payments on time, with all
invoices being paid within the agreed
terms as standard. We furthermore
give clear guidance as to what is
expected from our suppliers and
encourage good practices in those we
cooperate with.
As part of this, we believe in agreeing
fair contracts, and commit to the
standards set out in the Ethical
Trading Initiative Base Code for
sourcing goods through a process of
continuous due diligence.
OUR GOVERNANCE RESPONSIBILITY
Saddleback has been assessed by the Good Business Foundation to adhere to responsible business practices, and subsequently accredited with the Good Business Charter. Saddleback is transparent in its business dealings, and the Board will continue to improve the company’s policies and accountability for corporate social responsibility.
HOW WE DO BUSINESS
As a premium goods cycling business, we pride ourselves on offering customer service to match. We are trusted by a number of our brands to take care of their UK wheel build, warranty and servicing requirements, and we understand and honour our customers’ rights. The same is true when it comes to our returns and exchange policy.
OUR POLICIES
We aim to pay employees and regularly contracted workers over and above the Living Wage. We are committed to providing the necessary training, equipment and management to maintain a healthy, safe, hygienic and inclusive working environment, and we never require employees to work excessive hours.
HOW WE ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE
Although we are not answerable to investors, we do adhere to external regulations. We are committed to making prompt payments to our suppliers and all financial records are submitted in a timely and transparent manner. We work with companies who are similarly financially responsible.