Over the years, the company has resolved that its key stakeholders are essentially its distributor customers and its own employees.

In order to fulfil its responsibility to its distributors, PF Concept has taken measures to reassure them of its determination to be ahead of the field within the areas of CSR and environmentally aware sourcing.

PF Concept's largest CSR programme is based upon the company's Far East infrastructure and ability to carry out its own regular factory audits and utilise its own in-house testing facilities. Essentially, it is an initiative that fosters environmental protection and the encouragement of high health and safety standards.

When asked of the significance of CSR in today's competitive market, Graham Winter, MD of PF Concept UK, said: "It is clear that a serious response to CSR is becoming a necessity with the increased global sensitivity to the ethical issues that can influence buying decisions and sourcing channels. Those businesses who choose not to commit to this new paradigm will find themselves left behind."

In order to determine what is important to its customers, PF Concept maintains daily interaction with them. It does this via its field sales force, customer development team, and the customer service teams. The company also regularly carries out customer surveys in order to check that it is not overlooking any key areas of ‘need'.

Following on from this, PF Concept realises that the most effective CSR programmes are those that respond to the changing demands of its customers and the ultimate client company.

In line with this fact, the company has recognised that the concept of ‘green' products and practices is of increasing importance to its customers. Therefore, new for 2008, PF Concept has incorporated a statement on its approach to sourcing and manufacturing within the opening pages of its main customer catalogue. The objective is to reassure the final ‘end user' customer, who will be selecting from the catalogue, that the chain of supply has been carried out upon a CSR basis.

Additionally, the company introduced a complete ‘Green Concept' chapter to the catalogue, which features a new range of organic cotton and bamboo garments.

Winter said: "We have always endeavoured to be ahead of impending legislation and developing social trends that will affect our market. However, in order to determine these trends and take action in advance, a continual dialogue must take place between a company and its customers."

Furthermore, the UK team at PF Concept annually supports a number of charities including Children in Need. This not only benefits the charity, but also helps bring the company and its customers together. Each year, the company supports the Children in Need event by dressing in fancy dress. It is now recognised by its customers as a regular event, and many now pledge money with the team, as long as they share with them some of their funny photographs!

Essentially, PF Concept's CSR programmes have helped promote the values that the company stands for. Winter added: "Here at PF Concept, we hope that the CSR programmes we have undertaken will not only benefit the company in the future, but also our stakeholders and, ultimately, the larger global issues that we support."

For further information about PF Concept, visit its website at http://www.pfconceptuk.co.uk/

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