It’s that time where we look forward to another remarkable year at Axil Integrated Services and the goals and growth that lie ahead, but also reflect on our journey over the past 12 months.
This year has been a testament to our commitment to innovation and sustainability.
From the very start, Axil’s vision has been clear: to be a leading force in total waste management, re-engineering solutions to make a positive impact on the environment. What sets us apart in the UK waste industry is not just our ability but the passion that drives our team.
- As the new financial year started, we celebrated significant growth, reaching £28 million from £8 million in just five years.
- This success is not only a testament to our commitment to great customer service, ESG, and sustainability but also highlights our strategic approach to maximising returns.
- This year we have welcomed new colleagues into positions across Axil reaching a headcount of nearly 200.
- To support our growth, we’ve opened a second office in Cannock, powered by 100% renewable energy.
- Our Technical team and site chemists now work from these offices, conveniently located near our Environment Agency ‘A’ band waste transfer station.
This growth is a testament to our achievements and the unique place we’ve carving in the waste industry.
ADAPTING TO A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
In a continually evolving waste and manufacturing landscape, Axil has maintained its forward-thinking approach by closely monitoring trends and changes. Our consultancy-led waste management approach ensures that we keep our clients informed and compliant in the face of evolving regulations.
Our dedicated contract managers, along with our Partnership Manager, are eager to enhance existing contracts and welcome new clients, continually improving and sharing best practices.
SAFETY FIRST
Safety is not just a priority; the wellbeing of our people and our clients is non-negotiable commitment.
In July we marked the 49th birthday of The Health and Safety at Work Act, and we continue to prioritise a culture of interdependency, emphasising employee well-being.
Safety is our priority, and the wellbeing of our people is paramount. We firmly believe that creating a great safety culture is the foundation of our success, establishing a workplace where everyone can not only work but thrive.
Every aspect of our operations is designed to ensure a safe working environment, from our training programmes to the implementation of safety protocols.
PRACTICAL PARTNERSHIPS
We want to emphasise our commitment to collaboration. At Axil, we’re more than just emptying bins; we thrive on practical partnerships. It’s a win-win approach that benefits both Axil and our valued clients.
It’s not just about getting rid of stuff; it’s about identifying and supplying what you want to meet your specific needs and objectives.
Continuing our promise to be environmentally responsible, we commit to partnering with all our clients to drive your environmental performance up the waste hierarchy. Prioritising actions like reuse and recycling over disposal, ensuring that waste is managed sustainably and aligning with our joint goal of minimising environmental impact.
In the face of evolving regulations, Axil is ready to support clients with expert advice that goes beyond compliance, aiming not just to meet but exceed standards.
Our contract managers are advocates for your success, dedicated to working with you to tailor solutions to your needs.
We believe in talking things out, hearing your problems, and figuring out plans that not only fix things but also predict what you’ll need next.
We have also been doing a lot of work on our Portal, to ensure your user experience is the best it can be, demonstrating our commitment to providing efficient and customer-centric solutions.
Our Customer Portal, designed and built by Axil, supplies sustainability data in simple reports. What makes it unique is how we turn this data into actionable insights. We work with you to understand the information, set goals, and create strategies to not only save costs but also improve environmental performance.
From waste and emissions data comparisons to carbon usage monitoring and online document storage for compliance, our portal goes beyond the standard.
Clients are now using it to manage waste collections, request services, and access a range of functionalities that streamline their environmental management processes.
It’s not just a portal; it’s a powerful tool for driving sustainable and effective waste management practices.
STANDOUT PARTNERSHIPS
Deals totalling over £7 million, including the signing of a five-year extension with Birmingham Wholesale Market illustrate our growth.
This year, we joined hands with Lush, the sustainability-focused cosmetics giant, supporting their mission to reduce, reuse, repair, and recycle. Together, we contribute to their goal of leaving the world ‘Lusher than we found it.’
Partnerships with Aquapak, Radius Systems, Gen Phoenix, demonstrate our ability to streamline waste processes, championing sustainability, and cutting emissions.
Teaming up with Ecobat is breathing life into the battery circular economy, joining forces on repairing and reusing electric vehicle (EV) batteries for secondary purposes.
Expanding our portfolio of partnerships not only brings financial advantages but also results in rebates and cost-saving measures for our clients. These collaborations are geared towards positively impacting our clients’ bottom line, underscoring our commitment to delivering tangible returns and gains.
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND EXPERTISE
We’ve shown our commitment to thought leadership on various topics, from tackling greenwashing and ensuring waste compliance under ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) legislation to discussing overconsumption and the evolution of green chemistry.
These discussions are crucial for shaping the future of waste management and environmental sustainability for UK based manufacturers.
Gina Rudkin, Head of Sustainability and Zero Waste, led the release of our Impact Report, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Shortly after, we were happy to announce our Silver standard with EcoVadis, ranking in the top 25% globally and 19% above the industry sector average in sustainability excellence.
In autumn, we introduced our Sustainability and Social Value Charter, highlighting responsible decision-making, waste prevention, and community impact. Collaborating with an FMCG manufacturer, we’ve prevented waste, increased reuse, and supported 500 charities and counting.
2023 also saw the launch of a new Surplus Asset Reuse Marketplace for customers to donate their excess assets to more than 3,000 charities and local small businesses.
INVESTING IN PEOPLE AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Axil’s commitment to people’s growth is unwavering, evident in the great feedback we received in our 2023 employee survey.
The response from our 192-strong team was fantastic, with an impressive 85% participating—an excellent achievement well above the UK average of 50%.
Year after year, we reinforce our support for our people, and it shows.
97% take pride in being part of Axil, a testament to the enthusiasm and passion that clients often commend. The confidence in job security has soared, with 98% expressing their belief in Axil’s stability, up from 96.5% last year—an essential cornerstone of our success.
We’re also invested in our people’s growth. One exciting journey we’re currently on is watching the progress on our Leadership and Development Course. Picture this: a group of future leaders dedicating time away from their daily hustle to hone their skills and become the best versions of themselves.
Teaming up with Positive Perspective, we’ve created the Axil programme tailored just for us. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill courses; we’re talking about ILM tailored content that addresses specific needs. From nailing time management to ramping up team collaboration and delivering top-notch customer service to developing leadership potential, it’s covered.
We can’t wait to see Cohort 3’s final presentations in May!
WHATS NEXT?
The outlook for 2024 promises exciting opportunities with several contracts up for renewal.
Our FM sector is booming, with additional projects at Cummins, Alstom, and CPI. CBRE has become our largest customer, and exciting new contracts are on the way – watch this space!!!
As we expand, our values – integrity, teamwork, partnership, and environmental stewardship – remain at the core of our identity, driving a workplace of honesty and responsibility.
Investing in people, celebrating achievements, and launching our CPD Certified Waste & Resource Training to support our clients are steps we’ve taken to embed best practices, manage risk, and drive continuous improvement.
Looking ahead geographic growth beckons, with discussions underway for expansion into Scotland and Ireland. Our focus on enhancing environmental performance at airports and ports reflects our commitment to sustainability across diverse sectors.
In conclusion, 2023 has been a fantastic year—one of growth, partnerships, sustainability, and positive impact with our strong commitment to doing the right thing.
As we start 2024, we’re keen on getting even closer to our clients, understanding what they want, and creating partnerships that go beyond the usual services with a steadfast commitment to our values and the planet.
Thanks for trusting us with your waste needs, and we’re excited to keep these partnerships developing for a sustainable and successful future, whatever that looks like!