One of Wales’ leading independent foodservice wholesalers has reduced carbon emissions by more than 247 tonnes, donated £10,000 to charitable causes, and increased job and training opportunities.

Built on strong family values since its inception more than 50 years ago, Harlech Foodservice is determined to get ahead of the curve with stakeholders turning to impact over profit.

With that in mind, the company has produced its inaugural environmental, social, and governance (ESG) report, despite not being affected by the climate-related financial disclosure mandate.

As part of a commitment to being Net Zero by 2050, Harlech has saved more than 93 CO2e tonnes by cutting refrigerant gas usage per kg from 36 per cent to just 0.82.

Installing engineless cold store units on six HGVs prevented a further 80 CO2e tonnes, with another 47 avoided thanks to the repurposing of the Bwydlyn building.

Working on plastic reduction with The Country Range Group and Socius, the wholesaler is also focused on a supply chain that is not only as local as possible to any client but operating in line with The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and other organisations within sustainable procurement.

Mark Lawton, Harlech’s sales director, said: “For more than half a century, we have shown a commitment to ESG activities, and this report has given us the chance to take stock.

“Having the goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050 is one we are serious about, and by highlighting the changes we have made with that aim in mind, we hope to encourage the whole business, suppliers, and customer base to join us on the journey.

“To help with the target, the environmental team has also created a detailed carbon reduction plan and mapped all three scopes regarding emissions.”

Whilst Harlech is focused on protecting the environment, it is also eager to give back to the communities in which it operates.

This is why the company has donated £10,000 to a variety of worthy causes, including sports clubs and charities, as well as continued to work with local authorities to provide meals during school holidays.

Harlech, which operates in line with equal pay, is also continuously encouraging and supporting driver’s mates to obtain their HGV licence.

Mark continued: “I’m thrilled with what we’ve accomplished, but I am equally inspired to see where we could be by this time next year.

“We will continue to invest in our people as they are key to every single goal we put in place and remain our greatest asset.”