- Firm saved by fair work practices.
Wellbeing Economy Secretary has visited a company whose
commitment to fair work and sustainability helped it survive the
pandemic.
While at ACS Clothing near Glasgow, Mr Gray heard how a major
creditor was so impressed with the business’s approach to fair
work and environmental practices it agreed to convert a debt to
equity – investing enough to ensure the firm could continue
through the pandemic. Then in the later stages of COVID 19, an
ethical investor became aware of ACS’s reputation and also took a
stake.
Now the sustainable fashion company is expanding to take on 20
new apprentices - four graduates and 16 modern apprentices across
textile care and its warehouse operations.
Mr Gray said:
“ACS Clothing is proof that fair work and sustainability make
sound business sense.
“This imaginative and successful company captures what a
wellbeing economy is all about - supporting a transition to net
zero while practicing fair work principles such as paying the
real Living Wage, listening to its workforce and offering
apprenticeships and internships.
“In return its staff are incentivised, employee turnover is
reduced and investors are increasingly attracted by its ethics
and ethos.”
Chief Operating Officer Anthony Burns said:
"At the start of the pandemic, we faced significant financial
strain, as suppliers demanded payment and customers halted
orders, leading to a bleak outlook.
“However, our investment in circular business models, and our
positive environmental and social impacts, were rewarded
when Circularity Capital, a well-known Scottish ethical
investment firm invested significantly in our business.
“At ACS our commitment to fair work is not just a choice, but a
responsibility we owe to our communities. It is the unwavering
dedication to create environments where dignity, equality, and
justice thrive, ensuring that every individual's efforts are
valued and rewarded without bias or exploitation."
Background
Home - ACS Clothing
ACS is based at Eurocentral near Glasgow and employs 190 staff.
Through clothing renewal, rental, and resale, the company is
prolonging the lifespan of clothes and diverting it from
landfill/incineration.
As a certified carbon-neutral B-Corporation, ACS is committed to
environmentally friendly production processes, and is on target
to deliver a 50% reduction in carbon emissions in 2023 alone. It
takes innovative approaches to textile sanitisation, water reuse
and packaging, and also promotes biodiversity by creating a
nurturing environment with beehives, wildflowers, a greenhouse,
and a wormery.
Beyond its environmental impact, ACS contributes to social
innovation by providing rewarding employment opportunities. With
an online academy for hiring apprentices, it collaborates with
schools to promote sustainability development goals, offers
placements for prisoners, and provides supportive employment for
refugees and people with disabilities.
