Social enterprise to supply recycled products for major construction firm

Colmore Tang Construction has boosted a Birmingham-based social enterprise that provides skills and employment to people by integrating its products and services into its supply chain.

The contractor has ordered 80 recycled wood planters from the Jericho Foundation – worth £30,000 – and plans to install them at Kettleworks, the deluxe Jewellery Quarter development of 292 one- and two-bedroom apartments that Colmore Tang is delivering for Seven Capital.

It has also enlisted the charity’s support with waste wood and cardboard collections.

The wood recycling social enterprise is one of eight businesses that the Jericho Foundation operates in Birmingham, a charity that supports local people who experience personal or occupational barriers to employment, giving them the skills and experience needed to gain work.

CTC consolidated its support for the enterprise, following a fundraiser it held for the charity earlier this summer, when it raised £2,570 at its first annual conference at Park Regis hotel in Birmingham.

Steve Underwood, COO of Colmore Tang, said: “We are extremely pleased in the way the partnership has developed in just two months. In that time we have not only raised vital funds that have been directed towards Jericho’s work supporting victims of modern slavery in the region, but we are now integrating them into our supply chain.

“It’s not always about just donating your profits but rather it’s about how you make them in the first place. Utilising Jericho’s wood recycling social enterprise demonstrates our commitment to bettering our community and we are able to not only showcase their products on our developments, but also support those who are in training whilst learning key skills.

“We are able to do this because the products are of a high standard and perfectly complement our high-quality developments. We look forward to further developing our partnership with Jericho on a wider range of services on our new projects.”

By integrating Jericho into its supply chain, CTC has already delivered 100 days worth of employment for the charity’s four apprentices, supporting their development as they progress through their Level 2 and 3 qualifications. It has also enabled the charity to purchase new circular saws for its woodshop and has increased the revenue of the enterprise by over £30,000.

Richard Beard, CEO of the Jericho Foundation, said: “We are thrilled that Colmore Tang has added us to its supply chain and that it has asked us to provide 80 planters for its Kettleworks development. It demonstrates that our trainees and staff produce work of exceptional quality that is suitable for prestige developments – everyone who works at the wood recycling social enterprise is proud to be part of this exciting development.

“Working on a large-scale project marks a step change for the workshop; it has allowed us to enhance and develop our operational processes so we can secure more large projects like this in the future.

“Colmore Tang’s support will help to safeguard the work we do in providing people with the skills and training they need in the workplace.”