Following the publication of the Macfarlane Group’s latest sustainability report, the Barum & Dewar team would like to extend our congratulations to everyone involved across the Group in the latest reported achievements. ESG continues to rise higher on our agenda and on our clients’ agendas and we are proud to be part of a Group that priorities this commitment and delivers successfully on its goals.

Key highlights of the report include:

• 22% absolute reduction in Macfarlane’s carbon footprint and a 37% reduction in carbon sales intensity since 2019
• Nearly 90% of the Group’s electricity now comes from certified renewable sources
• Significant improvement in the Group’s Customer Net Promotor score to 60 (2022: 50)
• Over a third of the senior leadership team are female and Macfarlane Group achieved a 0% gender pay gap
• Extensive support to the Group’s charity partners through volunteering, logistics and raising vital funds

Commenting on the results of the 2023 report, David Patton, Macfarlane Group’s Head of Sustainability said: “Our 2023 Sustainability Report shows progress across a number of areas as we reduce our own impact on the environment but also work with our customers and suppliers to reduce theirs. We will continue to build on this progress and use our position to advance our social agenda too; supporting our colleagues, creating a great place to work and being a force for good in the local communities where we operate.”

The full report can be viewed here: [Sustainability Report]

Matt Martin, Supply Chain Co-ordinator

At Barum & Dewar, our supply chain is critical in all that we do and supports us to deliver such a high level of service to our customers. Most of our suppliers have been working with us since the early days of our business and are an integrated part of our operations as our delivery partners.

Maintaining the respect and communication that facilitates good working relationships has always been a priority for Barum & Dewar and is one of the reasons we’ve had such strong relationships with our supply partners for so many years. Given the nature of our business, our supply chain must run smoothly to ensure materials are in place to meet our strict production schedules. We have very little room for error, and we always work to high standards to ensure the quality of our end products is exceptional.

Like most UK manufacturing businesses with a global supply chain, we can be impacted by supply challenges, longer lead times and delivery pressures. Having our trusted network of suppliers allows us to negate challenges by working together on a solution to meet our customer needs. We work very closely with our suppliers and there is a mutual level of trust and respect so that we prevent delays and if any issues do arise, we can deal with these collaboratively and keep our customers well informed.

In October 2023 Barum & Dewar became part of the Macfarlane Packaging Group opening up access to both an enlarged product range but crucially a wider network of internal and external supply partners and further enhancing our in-house capabilities. An integral part of our protective packaging solutions are our custom foam inserts which are now manufactured across multiple Macfarlane Group sites reducing dependency on any single facility ensuring lead times are reduced and the capacity for large scale projects is in place.

Our supply partners are an essential part of our business and continue to be key to our customer success.

Barum & Dewar is pleased to have been selected again by a key defence client for a critical project following our excellent performance on a project in 2023. The client acknowledged that excellent customer service, quality of packaging solution and the value for money were the key drivers for this additional request to provide a packaging solution for a range of deployable equipment.

The approach taken by the Barum & Dewar team included a review of the deployable equipment before designing custom foam inserts for a variety of Peli and bespoke fabricated transit IP rated cases. This solution ensures the safe and secure transportation of essential equipment, vital for defence operations.

Barum & Dewar's ability to meet the unique needs of our clients while maintaining the highest standards of quality has been pivotal in securing this repeat contract. Our innovative approach to packaging solutions and knowledge of complex environments continues to set us apart as a leader in the defence sector.

We are pleased to announce that Barum & Dewar has once again achieved the respected ISO 9001:2015 certification following a successful annual assessment. With over two decades of accreditation, Barum & Dewar remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality and our continued eye for detail has ensured that we consistently achieve this accreditation.

Quality lies at the heart of everything we do at Barum & Dewar. Our unwavering dedication to excellence drives us to continuously enhance our business operations, approach to design and our supply chain, reinforcing our promise to deliver specialist packaging solutions to our valued customers.

Andy Harrison, our Technical Design Manager, emphasized our enduring focus on quality, stating, "Quality has always been paramount for Barum & Dewar. We consistently review our processes to align with our quality objectives, ensuring the delivery of dependable solutions to all our clients. In an ever-evolving and competitive landscape, it's imperative to continually pursue improvement to stay ahead."

ISO 9001:2015 serves as a testament to our commitment to maintaining a robust quality management system. It validates our ability to consistently meet customer needs and legal requirements while fostering customer satisfaction and paving the way for continuous improvement. At Barum & Dewar, our pursuit of excellence knows no bounds as we continue to raise the bar in a dynamic industry.

This week, we sat down with Technical Design Manager, Andy Harrison, to learn more about the approach Barum & Dewar take to designing our protective packaging solutions.

1. How does Barum & Dewar approach the design process?

Barum & Dewar approach the design process with a collaborative mindset, drawing upon our extensive experience and knowledge gained over 25 years in the industry. We prioritise understanding the unique challenges faced by our clients and adapt our approach accordingly. By leveraging insights from past projects, we identify areas of familiarity to streamline processes and optimise the solution. We encourage innovative thinking, challenging traditional approaches to effectively address the complexities of each project. As a trusted partner, we provide advisory support, guiding clients towards solutions that ultimately de-risk the project and ensure its success.

2. How involved in the design process is the client?

The client is highly involved in the design process at Barum & Dewar; we have a flexible approach that encourages their active participation. Almost all projects involve the presentation of drawings rather than relying solely on written descriptions, ensuring transparency and facilitating client input. This approach allows clients to have a hands-on role throughout the design process, ensuring that their expectations are managed effectively. The process typically involves several key stages, including defining the brief collaboratively, reviewing and proposing solutions, review meetings, obtaining client approval, and finally transitioning into production.

3. Design is only one part of the process, can you walk us through the end to end process?

The end-to-end design process at Barum & Dewar typically involves the following steps:

• Brief: The process begins with understanding the client's requirements and objectives through a detailed brief.
• Concept Design: Based on the brief, we develop a concept design with as much detail as practically possible to clear on the extent of our proposed solution and to be able to communicate this to our clients.
• Commercial Proposal: A commercial proposal is prepared, outlining the proposed solution along with top level drawings.
• Production: Once the proposal is accepted, the production phase commences. This involves various activities such as sourcing materials, creating production drawings for manufacture, and subcontracting third-party elements such as wire shock mounts or parts made in other facilities.
• Review meetings, whether during the design process or during the manufacturing phase in preparation for testing (where required) the B&D Team participate to ensure that these project milestones are met.
• Delivery: We ensures a smooth delivery process, making sure the client has the necessary facilities to receive the products. Specialised palettes and crates are used for shipping, particularly for international shipments. The delivery phase is crucial as it leaves a lasting impression on the client. Regular engagement and updates are provided throughout this stage, and adjustments may be made if needed.

By following this comprehensive end-to-end process, Barum & Dewar ensures that client requirements are effectively translated into high-quality products, delivered on time and within budget.

4. How does the process change depending on the size of project?

The process at Barum & Dewar remains consistent regardless of the size of the project, emphasising attention to detail, service quality, engagement, and integration. While larger projects may require more drawings, meetings, and reviews due to their scale, the fundamental approach remains unchanged.

Timeframes may be compressed for larger projects, but this does not alter the essential steps of the process. Each project, whether it involves a small case or a large satellite container, receives the same level of thoroughness and dedication to ensuring client satisfaction. This consistency ensures that regardless of project size, Barum & Dewar delivers high-quality solutions that meet client requirements every time.

To discuss your requirements with a member of the B&D team today please contact us.