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This year Workbench were back! Back to the office, the sales team hit the ground running and the design team were back, well, designing. Everything started to feel like it was back to normal. So, what did we do? Launch new products for a start. We were shortlisted at the Mixology awards for our new product designed alongside May Fawzy; the Spaceshifter, which quickly became a favourite amongst the team, with flexible solutions suited to all the different tastes in this office. We can’t forget the launch of our new rise and fall AV table; Pogo. At Workbench we are here to solve problems first and foremost, and the Pogo did not disappoint. As it was a year for firsts it’s only fitting to include Clerkenwell Design Week. A whirlwind of friendly faces, old and new streaming into our showroom for three fabulous days of socialising, learning and design. We have said some,” good lucks” and “goodbyes” this year, but we have also welcomed new faces to the team, in addition to the office revamp and a website update! This isn’t to say 2022 didn’t come with its fair share of hurdles, the cost of living being a big contender for first place. But for those who didn’t want their heating on at home and lights on all day, our office really has provided a warm working space for all. Speaking of energy, we can’t forget the importance all things carbon has played on our business this year. From counting our carbon footprint, to developing a whole new initiative, Workbeyond. So as carbon reduction continues to be a focus for all of us, we can work together to keep our furniture part of the circular economy. It’s time to bring on 2023! Here’s a few more highlights of our favourite projects from 2022…

Workbench is a market leader in the furniture industry championing sustainable design and good practice. We design and manufacture high end furniture and joinery for corporate spaces working on prestigious projects with blue chip companies. We are looking to recruit a Post Sales/ Project Manager to join our dynamic team. Working closely with the MD, sales team, design team and the installation team the responsibilities will include: -Tendering products and chasing quotes, placing purchase orders, agreeing delivery schedules. -Liaising with transport companies to set up deliveries -Cost and supply analysis on projects. Negotiating prices with suppliers ensuring budgets are met. -Monitoring material supply issues and liaising with the Workbench suppliers to ensure delivery dates a met. Experience / skills that would be an advantage: Microsoft Office Filemaker Reading technical drawings. The successful candidate must have at least 3 years experience in a purchasing & post sales role, be a team player with a flexible, 'can do' attitude and have excellent organisation skills. Good communication is essential as the role involves liaising with the Workbench team at all levels as well as suppliers and contractors. The role would suit someone with previous purchasing experience, ideally within the furniture / design industry, who is familiar with reading technical drawings. To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to Joe@workbenchltd.co.uk

And as we all know that can only mean one thing, er, it’s the World Cup! As the excitement builds get yourselves prepared by downloading our Workbench World Cup Wallchart with added bonus features: • Predict each game! • Predict the Group Winners and Runners Up! • Predict each Round all the way to the Final! • Predict the Golden Boot winner! • Game times and which channel they are on! You can also download the ready made Workbench World Cup Sweepstake kit so even those who really don’t care about football can get involved and annoy the ‘proper’ fans by pulling the favourites out of the hat. Enjoy! The Workbench Team For the latest versions just click on the download links below and enjoy...!

It’s time to get your pom-poms out and line the streets of London! Our very own Workbench wonder woman Wendy is running her first (and perhaps only) marathon this weekend. She’s been training hard before and after work and is super fit and raring to go. If her knees hold up we’re sure she’s going to smash it and will probably make some sales somewhere between Greenwich and Cutty Sark. She’s running for a great charity, C.R.Y (Cardiac Risk in the Young) in memory of her brother Paul who sadly passed away aged just 41 from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome. His attitude was ‘Always Forward’ and with that same drive and positivity Wendy has pushed herself to do something fantastic in his name and we are very proud of her. C.R.Y provides screening and helps advance the work of cardiologists in the hope that fewer families go through the pain of losing a loved one so young and any donations to them would make a real difference. Click on the link if you are able to make a donation... https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alwaysforward Look out for her on Sunday, somewhere between Mo Farah and the bloke in the diver’s outfit, and give her a cheer. Go Wendy! Always Forward!!

The environment, and everything that goes with it is one big conversation going on in every industry at one level or another. But with so many theories being thrown around do we know what is actually being said? For many, it is about reducing emissions, lowering carbon use and focusing on innovative ways to make this happen as soon as possible. The Paris Agreement in 2015, outlines the UNFCCC's [1] plan to reduce emissions by 50% before 2030, with 193 UN [2] members as of 2021 on board, the next question is how will this be achieved? This brings us to this week’s topic; The Circular Economy, by no means a new concept, it was first brought to the attention of experts in 1966 by Kenneth Boulding [3]. 2012 is where the theory found its feet in the world of business due to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation’s [4] report entitled ‘Towards the Circular Economy: Economic and Business rationale for an accelerated transition’ [5]. So, what is it? Put simply, it is the idea of placing the responsibility of product disposal on the manufacturer. What was the last thing you threw away? A food wrapper, some old furniture, a 3-year-old phone… This list is endless, and the waste accumulation further still, this is the basis of a linear economy. The West and its consumerist ideology have developed a ‘take, make, dispose’ school of thought which has led to finite resources becoming scarce and landfills struggling to cope with the levels of waste being turned out daily. But what if your furniture, phone, packaging, was designed with its afterlife in mind. This could be the manufacturer using materials that can be easily decomposed or constructing a product that can be repaired easily to last longer or remade into a new product all together. These are the ideas behind the circular economy, by considering the afterlife of a product during manufacture, in theory, the product in question will stay in circulation for a prolonged period, reducing the reliance on non-renewable resources. Ideally a circular economy should produce no waste. There are two cycles: First, the biological cycle, comprised of products that can decompose; therefore, their circular qualities involve being fed back into the earths nutrients and continue to provide for the economy. The technical cycle, consisting of products that do not have the same ability to decompose, therefore should be designed to be easily repaired, taken apart, reassembled or repurposed ensuring longevity within the cycle. These two different product cycles are not always mutually exclusive, which can raise further manufacturing considerations and product awareness. The more mainstream this concept of production becomes, the closer we get to reaching the overall goal, zero waste. We’ve all heard that actions speak louder than words, so let’s stop talking and start doing! Workbench has taken this concept in its stride, curating the initiative 'Workbeyond' and starting with our LOOP table range, to work the Circular Economy into our business model. Creating beautiful furniture is how we start our journey, designing and making it to last forever is the destination. Written by Porter Locke, graphics by Anna Bains References; 1) https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement 2) https://unfccc.int/process/the-paris-agreement/status-of-ratification 3) https://www.semanticscholar.org/author/K.-Boulding/4748285 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_E._Boulding 4) https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org 5) https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/assets/downloads/publications/Ellen-MacArthur-Foundation-Towards-the-Circular-Economy-vol.1.pdf

With Chris Lefteri @ Workbench We recently had the pleasure of hosting a talk by materials expert Chris Lefteri on the subject of Material Centric Design. It was informal, informative and thought provoking. When designing new products, material concepts and properties can be overlooked through assumptions and conventional thinking. The talk was an exploration based on starting with the material, rather than solving a design brief and then finding a material to use. Simple ideas such as looking at materials developed for one industry sector and applied in another can lead to the creative spark that ignites a whole creative boom. Who knew that increasing milk yields from dairy cows could revolutionise trainers? It can be difficult to get your head around 'materials first', but exploring this concept has clearly solved problems that would not have been possible through the standard design first, material second process. ‘What can we do with this material’ rather than ‘what material best fits this solution’ opens up avenues of creativity and the cross-pollination of ideas. We questioned what defines a ‘new material’, it is often an existing material used in a new application. From injection moulded leather, bark fabric, and trainers made from grapes, the audience was fascinated and stimulated, especially as we were able to handle examples. We were joined by Rosie Dodd from The Carbon Trust who discussed the carbon challenges that we face when defining the environmental standards of materials and their circular economy statistics. With the focus shifting towards sustainability, Chris opened our eyes to the direction that materials are heading in terms of alternatives to fossil-based materials, and the fun ways students are looking at new solutions in the world of recycling. We looked at the aesthetics and the emotional response to sustainable materials, whether they need to be desired or ‘cool’ rather than being bought through a sense of ‘doing the right thing’, and how this impacts on the consumer. The Q&A following the talk highlighted how thought provoking the subject of Material Centric Design can be, from shoe production to building construction, particularly when you can handle real world examples of how this theory has been applied by designers and industry. We look forward to welcoming Chris back.

Workbench is complementing its collections of standard and bespoke tables and storage products with the Lammhults seating ranges. Carefully chosen for their strong environmental credentials and Swedish contemporary styling, the Lammhults ranges offer beautifully engineered products with timeless designs for long product life. The Archal/Archal XL and Atlas Air ranges are particularly relevant to boardrooms and meeting rooms, carrying the Lammhults’ signature touch of elegance with utmost craftsmanship. The ranges can be seen at the Workbench showroom in London.

On Wednesday 13th July we host the RIBA approved CPD Introduction to Engineered Quartz presented by Caesarstone. Engineered Quartz is the fastest growing material in the worktop market. At the end of the seminar you’ll know everything about designing engineered quartz surfaces, appropriate application and design possibilities. We have limited places for this seminar, if you would like to join us please contact us to reserve a space. Heather@workbenchltd.co.uk

At Workbench everyday is a school day. We are always keen to make sure we share knowledge and new ideas. Next week we have two excellent seminars that we would like to share with our clients The first is on Tuesday July 12th where we have a unique opportunity to discuss Material Centric Design with Chris Lefteri Chris Lefteri is recognised throughout the world as a leading authority on materials and their application in design. He is considered one of the most important materials experts working in his field and for over a decade his studio work and publications have been pivotal in changing the way designers and the materials industry consider materials. https://www.chrislefteri.com/ Material Centric Design This talk will explore and challenge the traditional process of design, which is shape first, materials selection last. It will help you evaluate materials from a new perspective that goes beyond function. There will be the opportunity for Q&A with Chris afterwards. There are limited spaces so please contact heather@workbenchltd.co.uk if you would like to attend and we will confirm your place.

Workbench is a market leader in the furniture industry championing sustainable design and good practice. We design and manufacture high end furniture and joinery for corporate spaces working on prestigious projects with blue chip companies. We are looking to recruit a Post Sales/ Project Manager to join our dynamic team. Working closely with the MD, sales team, design team and the installation team the responsibilities will include: -Tendering products and chasing quotes, placing purchase orders, agreeing delivery schedules. -Liaising with transport companies to set up deliveries -Cost and supply analysis on projects. Negotiating prices with suppliers ensuring budgets are met. -Monitoring material supply issues and liaising with the Workbench suppliers to ensure delivery dates a met. Experience / skills that would be an advantage: Microsoft Office Filemaker Reading technical drawings. The successful candidate must have at least 3 years experience in a purchasing & post sales role, be a team player with a flexible, 'can do' attitude and have excellent organisation skills. Good communication is essential as the role involves liaising with the Workbench team at all levels as well as suppliers and contractors. The role would suit someone with previous purchasing experience, ideally within the furniture / design industry, who is familiar with reading technical drawings. To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to Joe@workbenchltd.co.uk

The Green House Gas Protocol identifies a company’s emissions in three categories. Scopes 1, 2 & 3 are the basis for mandatory GHG reporting in the UK (Carbon foot printing) The scopes are based on an assessment of which emissions from your operations you can directly control and which you can influence. Scope 1. Green House Gas (GHG) emissions that a company makes directly, for example, company facilities, including air-con and vehicles. Scope 2. GHG emissions made indirectly e.g. electricity purchased, heating, cooling. For a company like Workbench Scopes 1 and 2 are likely to be small as we have a modest office space and a medium size team. Scope 3. The big one. GHG emissions the company is indirectly responsible for. In Workbench’s case for example the steel, glass, timber we buy and then the emissions generated in the fabrication of that material. It includes anything a company has influence over. Below is some of what Workbench measured. To be able to substantiate year on year carbon reductions it is our understanding that a company should measure its current footprint and report it so that it can then demonstrate the reduction achieved going forward. We used certified consultants who specialise in carbon management to help us measure and report. If you would like more information on the resources we used please get in touch. Carbon Neutral Workbench is carbon neutral because it has measured Scopes 1, 2 and 3, has had this verified by a third party and then has off set its total carbon emissions by investing in United Nations approved projects. Workbench knows this has a positive impact but it is not a longterm solution, we must aim for Net Zero. Carbon Net Zero This is only achieved when a company has demonstrated that it has reduced its carbon footprint to the lowest carbon emissions possible, whilst still being able to fulfil the functions to keep operating, and then offsetting the remaining emissions. For this reason a company is highly unlikely to be able to achieve Carbon Net Zero straight away. Companies must first identify and measure their footprint before they make claims of reducing it. Companies will need to have documented proof of how they have reduced their footprint to the lowest possible level and will need to have it verified by a third party and or be assessed to a certified standard to legitimately claim Net Zero. Workbench is measuring and reporting its carbon emissions publicly and is aiming to reach Net Zero within 5 years. How SME’s can make a difference Collectively SME’s are enormous. At the start of 2021 there were over 5.5 million SME’s in the UK (0-49 employees) SMEs account for three fifths of the employment and around half of the turnover in the UK private sector. If SME’s all measured their carbon footprint, introduced reduction targets and in the meantime off set their carbon it would be a massive shift in the UK's carbon footprint. Other useful information https://www.workbenchltd.co.uk/copy-of-climate-neutral https://www.workbenchltd.co.uk/ https://unfccc.int/climate-action/climate-neutral-now https://www.fsb.org.uk/uk-small-business-statistics.html This information is based on research that Workbench has undertaken. We always welcome feedback and are happy to learn from the experiences of others.

Workbench have built an enviable reputation as a reliable partner for Architects, Designers and Specifiers. As a UK based designer and manufacturer of furniture and specialist joinery, we have an in-house design team with all our manufacturing carried out in the UK. We have direct contact with our material suppliers and can effectively mange our supply chain during these difficult times, providing an uninterrupted, reliable supply of high quality furniture and joinery for your project. For more information about our furniture and joinery please call 020 7251 9336, email enquiries@workbenchltd.co.uk or visit our showroom at 3 Sutton Lane, London EC1M 5PU. Furniture solutions by Workbench Designed by us, tailored by you.