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A socially responsible approach by Fermob
French outdoor furniture giant Fermob might have joie de vivre running through its veins, but the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility is also deeply ingrained in its DNA.
Think of French alfresco living brand Fermob and certain adjectives spring to mind: colourful, innovative, practical, fun, clever and joyful among them. But there are other bywords that characterise the French powerhouse, which was founded in 1989 and is one of the globe’s largest manufacturers of outdoor furniture: sustainability and respect for the environment are rooted in Fermob’s culture and production processes. Those qualities are embedded in the brand’s DNA, and are reflected in how seriously Fermob takes its corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Fermob’s CSR approach is three tiered – harnessing creativity and innovation to ensure sustainability is the core principle of its manufacturing; placing high value on professional and personal development; and sharing its progress in the social responsibility arena with transparency and integrity, as well as maintaining the scope of its philanthropic efforts.
In the company’s plant in Thoissey in eastern France, sustainability practices are embedded in every level of the manufacturing process. Since 1992, Fermob has been at the forefront of eco-design, integrating principles that optimise raw material usage and prioritise repairability. The company has developed an index to assess product repairability, recyclability and recycled material content, guiding all of its design decisions.
Sustainability procedures are myriad: powder paints are solvent- and VOC-free, and are applied in a zero-release facility where residues are recycled; the outdoor technical fabric (OTF) is sourced only from suppliers with strict sustainability standards; product development and design teams minimise environmental impact by reducing material thickness; the majority of the brand’s furniture is made from steel or aluminium, among the world’s most recyclable materials; and the company extends the lifespan of its products through services like custom repainting (currently only available in France, with a planned expansion into other markets). Fermob is also committed to end-of-life management of its products through eco-organisations that ensure the responsible collection, recycling and recovery of both furniture and lighting.
Employee wellbeing, the considered management of people and diversity and inclusion are core aspects of the second element of its CSR ethos. The company takes a unique approach to HR, with a Fermob Academy that equips managers with evolving skills to maintain a dynamic HR management culture.
The final tenet sees the company actively contributing to global sustainability efforts, with philanthropy and sponsorship a high priority. The latter involves backing creative projects on a local and global scale.
Fermob is passionate about making great, durable outdoor furniture with joie de vivre at its heart. But that passion is underscored by a deep commitment to its corporate social responsibility, with a particular focus on sustainability, reflecting a dedication to environmental stewardship and innovation.
