Following its recent contract gain with Conference Aston in Birmingham, Wilson Vale has sourced liquid soap from The Soap Co. for use throughout the venue, which attracts up to 55,000 hotel guests and conference delegates each year.
Based in east London, and with a second workshop in the Lake District, The Soap Co. is a social enterprise employing people who are blind, disabled or otherwise disadvantaged.
Wilson Vale has placed an initial order for black poppy and wild fig hand wash, which comes in containers made from 25% recycled milk bottles, for use throughout the venue’s public bathrooms.
Andrew Wilson, co-founder of Wilson Vale, said: ”Ethical sourcing has been part of our DNA since we established the business in 2002. The majority of our 250 suppliers are small producers who share our values. The Soap Co. is a perfect example of a supplier with a strong CSR story that is making a big impact on the community.
” Conference Aston has bought into our food and our culture to drive their business forward. In a highly competitive conference sector, it’s all about meeting clients and delegates’ expectations on every level, from quality standards and CSR best practice to the finer touches that make all the difference to the delegate experience.”
Samantha Brown, head of Conference Aston, has wholeheartedly welcomed the initiative. She said: “As a business, we strive towards operating with integrity and to achieving first class hotel, conferencing and hospitality services. Supporting The Soap Co. is a very positive move towards this value and our mission to adopt a long term ethical and sustainable approach. The Soap Co. is already attracting fantastic feedback from guests and we look forward to sharing their story with many more over the coming months.”
Camilla Marcus-Dew, head of commercial at The Soap Co., said: “Having our products at this leading UK venue is a wonderful opportunity for The Soap Co. to spread its social message to a wider audience, especially among the business community, and demonstrate how companies can bring value into their supply chains. We are extremely grateful to Wilson Vale for their support and look forward to developing a closer relationship with them in the future.
“Every time someone uses a product from The Soap Co., they are creating opportunities for people with disabilities who create, pack, sell and distribute our soaps with care. Our mission is to provide a stepping stone into other employment for those who can achieve it, whilst providing a real, long-term job for those for whom this goal is less likely. We currently employ more than 100 people across the country and we aim to generate 60 new job opportunities for disabled or disadvantaged people every year.”