To help the small to medium sized builders amongst its customer base, UK national builders merchant Buildbase, part of the Grafton Group plc, has launched a special scheme with the help of SCA Timber.
For each builder taking up electronic billing, Buildbase plants 10 new trees. SCA offered Buildbase the use of part of its FSC certified forest land for planting what is now known as the Buildbase Lifecycle Forest, situated in the Ljusåsen area in northern Sweden.
"Electronic billing saves cost and time as well as reducing waste," comments Buildbase’ managing director Stephen Thompstone. "We’re thanking our customers with the planting of these new trees, and promoting a cycle of new growth."
SCA Timber’s international marketing director, Anders Ek, adds: "Resource efficiency is a by-word at SCA, running through the supply chain from our forests to our finished wood products, delivered to Buildbase branches. We’re pleased to support the campaign for electronic billing, which in turn enables Buildbase’ customers to increase their own business efficiency."
In the British construction sector, the drive for efficiency began twelve years ago with the publication of the report ‘Rethinking Construction’ by Sir John Egan. Since then, lean supply chains and ‘partnering’ – linking of specialist firms into a virtual business sharing opportunities, deadlines and profits – have become commonplace amongst larger business entities.
Efficiencies are harder won for the small to medium-sized builder, whose time is more limited for organizing back-office systems. Electronic billing can therefore be a big contributor to the profitable operation of such firms.
Buildbase’ managing director Stephen Thompstone says the electronic billing campaign has been making great strides: "Already 150,000 documents have been sent electronically, further reducing waste in the construction supply chain. Our likely annualised saving on this basis should be around 300,000 documents."
As a direct result of Buildbase’ customers joining the scheme, some 11,000 trees were planted this summer by SCA Skog, getting the Buildbase Lifecycle Forest off to what Stephen Thompstone calls a "fantastic start". He adds: "There are many more customers out there who could still join our scheme, and for each one signing up, a further 10 trees will be planted in the forest area that SCA has dedicated to us."
"Buildbase and its customers are delighted to be doing their bit for the environment in this way," says Stephen. "As green issues are becoming a much greater consideration in our day-to-day business transactions, this is one way that we can make our own small contribution."
The trees planted this season and in future seasons, will grow and absorb carbon until their maturity. They will be harvested in 80-100 years’ time, fulfilling their lifecycle as trees but starting a new lifecycle as wood products, and locking up CO2 until their function or utility comes to an end. The carbon cycle can then be completed if the remaining wood is used for biofuel, making a final contribution by further reducing the need for fossil fuels. This, truly, is a ‘Lifecycle Forest’.
