Sustainability top of the agenda for Filshill

JW Filshill, having achieved its 2020 pledge to cut its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 five years early, is prioritising sustainability in its 150th anniversary year

The fifth-generation wholesaler pledged to cut its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 but has revealed that it has reached this target five years early, boosted by its relocation to its new Renfrew site, significant investment in electric HGV vehicles, solar panels and full LED lighting, and transitioning to HVO fuel for all diesel-powered operations at Westway Business Park.

Filshill has also committed to investing in a software platform that will assist greatly in tracking Scope 3 emissions.

This year, Filshill won two key industry awards for its work around sustainability and commitment to becoming a net-zero business: Sustainable Wholesaler of the Year at Scottish Wholesale Achievers in February and, earlier this month, the Environment and Sustainability Award at the Unitas Connect Awards.

In both awards, the judges recognised investment not just in Filshill’s own operations and workforce but also its engagement and collaboration with its suppliers and customers to consider all aspects of the supply chain.

Keith Geddes, chief financial and operating officer at Filshill (pictured right with CEO Simon Hannah), said: “We’ve made huge strides around sustainability within the business and leading the way within the wholesale sector not just in terms of Scotland but across the UK.

“We’ve reduced our carbon footprint by 8% in the last year alone and invested in two fully electric HGVs. We have looked at several innovations to further reduce our CO2 emissions including switching to hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) for all our HGVs at Westway – this has been a game-changer for us as this is a much cleaner fuel than diesel.

“Overall, we now know that we are producing just 50g of CO2 per case which is a reduction of 65% since 2021.” He added: “We are now pushing ahead with benchmarking our Scope 3 emissions. By adopting a wholesale food and drink-focused software platform, we can better track our Scope 3 emissions.”

Mr Geddes said getting all staff on board, across all departments, has been key to Filshill’s success in achieving its sustainability goals. He added: “From fairly simply measures such as reducing paper invoices and switching to e-invoicing and using both sides of the page when we do need to print something out – small actions make a huge difference over time. Backhauling is another area we are looking at.”

Filshill also contributes to the Zero Emission Truck Taskforce, set up by Transport Scotland, along with the Scottish Wholesale Association with which it has worked on key projects to accelerate the use of electric vehicles in Scotland’s wholesale industry.

The company is marking its 150th anniversary in 2025 with a raft of activity based around the theme ‘Delivering Success’ that champions sustainability, innovation, community, and wellbeing; and also aims to raise £150,000 for six charities which represent large demographics of the communities they serve as part of the anniversary celebrations. Culminating with a celebration dinner in Glasgow in October, the year honours Filshill’s journey from its origins as a confectionery manufacturer in Glasgow’s Gallowgate in 1875 to its position today as an award-winning wholesaler serving independent KeyStore convenience stores across Scotland and the north of England. while setting the scene for a future of ambition, growth, and positivity.