Paper merchant GF Smith has become a BCorp business, the first UK paper merchant with this accolade and almost certainly the first in the world.
The Hull business joins a growing community in the print sector including Foilco and printers including Anglia Print and Generation Press as well as Webmart with BCorp membership. Many BCorp companies trade with each other thanks to a shared ethos in sustainability in its wider sense, not only in a purely environmental definition. Members are expected to act for the good of their communicates.
GF Smith managing director Gareth Sheekey, successor to long serving John Haslam, says: ”We believe we are the first global fine paper supplier to join the BCorp movement and are also very proud to be the largest employer in our home city of Hull to achieve this recognition to date.
“Our certification score of over 98 shows the importance we place on our role in the world and we look forward to working with other likeminded businesses across the BCorp community, to deliver positive impacts and changes. We are working hard with new initiatives as we continue to look forward, delivering on our strategic commitments.”
There are a number of design and marketing agencies that are BCorp members among the 1,800 UK listed B Corp members and who are already buying designer and specialist papers from GF Smith. B Corp is also popular among start up and artisan brands that can have a strong design and sustainability outlook.
The merchant adds that the certification “goes hand in hand with our long terms strategy, however it is not a badge of honour as much as a declaration of intent. This is just the beginning. We recognise that there is always work to do, that we can always strive to be better and we are energised and excited by the challenge ahead.”
