Lifting the Planet

Apex Lifts discusses its process in achieving sustainability certification.

Apex Lifts announced in March it has achieved the Planet Mark Business Certification, furthering the company’s commitment to reduce its impact on society. The Planet Mark Business Certification is an internationally recognised sustainability certification for all organisations acknowledging continuous progress, encouraging action and building an empowered community of like-minded individuals.

To achieve this sustainability certification, Apex Lifts followed a robust three-step process: measuring impact, engaging everyone in the business and communicating progress. The process involved a period of data entry and included the involvement of Tilly Hawkins, marketing manager, U.K., for Cibes Lift UK Ltd., Titan Elevators and Apex Lifts; Management Accountant John Clare; and a former Health Services Quality and Effectiveness (HSQE) manager with the company. The group submitted data across both carbon emissions and the company’s social value input throughout 2022.

Apex Lifts measured its own carbon footprint during this time and will continue to take responsibility for carbon emissions to have a positive impact on the planet and society moving forward. Carbon reporting included submitting data on the company’s fleet of vehicles and everyday operations, such as how much electricity is consumed per year from the head office. Social value submission included showcasing and providing evidence for charitable donations made, work experience placements carried out and volunteering in the form of CV (curriculum vitae) workshops, mock interview sessions and attending career fairs. 

The last two steps in the process (engaging everyone in the business and communicating progress) included formal accreditation and a full report on the company’s consumptions and how to engage internal teams in working toward achieving Planet Mark’s minimum carbon reduction of 5% per annum.

Planet Mark looks at year-on-year performance, so Apex started with submitting data for 2022 alone. At the end of this year, the company will have to repeat the process with data from 2023. “It will be good if we are able to commit to the reduction targets each year and to accumulate consecutive years of data to analyse, compare and see improvements,” Hawkins said. 

As part of the Planet Mark accreditation, Apex Lifts are also contributing to the United Nations’ SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), as the company believes that it’s important, now more than ever, to do better and create a sustainable future. Hawkins said: 

“We are proud to be helping protect endangered rainforests through Planet Mark’s partner Cool Earth – a charity working alongside rainforest communities to halt deforestation. Our pledge through Cool Earth goes directly towards supporting the Ashaninka community in Central Peru.” 

Apex Lifts became interested in achieving this certification as the company are proud Royal Warrant Holders by Appointment to the late HM (Her Majesty) The Queen. As part of this, the company engages with the Royal Warrant Holders Association, which encourages communication and involvement of all Royal Warrant Holding organisations with Planet Mark. Furthermore, Apex Lifts has wanted to embark on this journey with Planet Mark for some years now and saw the timing of the acquisition with Cibes, now forming part of a trio of companies — Cibes Lift UK, Titan Elevators and Apex Lifts — as an ideal opportunity to take the leap, giving the company a chance to test whether it can achieve the required reductions. If successful, the plan is to roll this out across Cibes Lift UK and Titan Elevators in future years. 

Hawkins said: 

“We hope this is the start to a positive step toward reaching U.K. Government net-zero targets, not just for Apex Lifts, Cibes Lift UK and Titan Elevators but for the wider communities in which we operate. Embarking on the Planet Mark acts as a support system for our net-zero journey, and in turn, allows Apex Lifts to demonstrate industry best practice and knowledge sharing. The entirety of Apex Lifts has contributed to this achievement of becoming Planet Mark certified, and every individual will continue to play an important role in the company’s sustainability commitment.”

Embarking on the Planet Mark acts as a support system for our net-zero journey, and in turn, allows Apex Lifts to demonstrate industry best practice and knowledge sharing.

 – Tilly Hawkins, marketing manager, U.K.

About Planet Mark

Planet Mark launched in 2013 with a mission “to build a sustainable, brighter future for us and our planet.” By 2050, every U.K. business has to be net zero by law, and Planet Mark believes an organisation understanding its impact on the planet is the first step in identifying the actions needed to achieve this. With a growing team of more than 60, they now certify more than 800 organisations in every sector and have continuously been improving and adapting the certification to meet member needs.