Lawsons “doing what’s right”
As a 4th generation family business Lawsons strongly reflects the values of the family. This has created a business ethos or philosophy which can be easily summed up as simply “doing what’s right”. Right for the business, right for the staff and right for the community at large. Creating this environment is the singular feat in business of which Lawsons is most proud.
The company takes it responsibility to the wider community very seriously and delivers charity via two routes. Centrally, the company maintains a significant charitable fund which is responsible for administering the support for the long-term commitments. Probably the most significant relation has been with Hospices of Hope which the family has privately supported since 2004 as well as soliciting Lawsons corporate involvement. These hospices were first established in Brasov Romania and have now, with extensive support from Lawsons and multiple visits and encouragement from Simon personally, extended into Serbia, The Republic of Moldova and Serbia. Through Simon and Lawsons, help and assistance has been provided to some of the neediest people in South-East Europe with a transformative effect upon their lives.
Closer to home, Lawsons funds foster families to attend the Festival of Sport, where children, many with physical, social and mental challenges are coached in a variety of sports by gold medal winning Olympians and para-Olympians, past world champions and current members of the England national teams. Lawsons has also been a long-term provider of food and shelter via the Michael Roberts Charitable Trust and Bounty Vans, a mobile food bank network.
Locally, the company uses its network of branches to provide immediate and much needed support to their local communities. Every branch has its own discretionary fund to use on worthwhile projects in their locale. The list of schools supported with materials and donations for play areas, gardens and nature zone is too extensive to list. Similarly, we are great believers in getting children being active outside and so sponsor numerous local sports clubs to ensure that open spaces with secure fencing and safe seating are available to all participating families.
Finally, Lawsons is committed to reducing its carbon footprint. Considerable progress has been made to electrify vehicles in the business, especially forklifts and cars. Lawsons operates one the largest fleets of JCB teletruks in the world and has been working with JCB to migrate their fleet across to the 35-22E electric versions. These not only reduce emissions but also noise within our inner-city urban depots – something appreciated by our neighbours!
In conclusion, Lawsons believes that alongside profit, the business should also leverage its influence to effect positive change. This means creating value for all stakeholders including customers, employees and the community. This is our material difference.
