Addison Group is made up of 4 businesses: Addison Project, Addison Precision, Addison Engineering and Addison Academy. It has been a family-run business for two generations, with its roots firmly planted in Lancashire, where its operational headquarters and manufacturing facilities are based. With regional offices in Cheshire, the North East, and the South, the group supplies engineering design and construction services, precision-engineered components, and hands-on fabrication and maintenance services to a range of blue-chip clients across the UK and beyond.
Sustainability isn’t just a business objective for Addison’s—it’s a fundamental part of its culture. Now in their second year of working with Positive Planet, we sat down with Sophie Addison, Marketing and ESG Director, to reflect on their sustainability journey so far.
The Challenge
The Addison group of companies has always recognised the importance of sustainability and was ahead of the curve in adopting best practices. However, the team lacked the internal expertise to confidently measure and validate their full emissions impact. They needed hands-on support to ensure the changes they wanted to implement were both effective and measurable.
At the same time, the wider market was evolving. Blue-chip clients were placing increasing pressure on suppliers to meet sustainability requirements, particularly around Scope 3 emissions measurement and validation. Meeting ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) expectations wasn’t just a compliance necessity; it is increasingly becoming a game-changer for securing and retaining contracts. Addison Group saw this as both a challenge and an opportunity—an opening to stand out in an industry where sustainability wasn’t always prioritised in procurement decisions.
The Positive Planet Solution
In 2022, Addison was introduced to Positive Planet through industry peers at Barkers, a procurement consultancy that had been working with Positive Planet for years. Recognising the need for expert guidance in sustainability reporting, the Group engaged Positive Planet to help enhance their Net Zero strategies and CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) reporting.
The partnership focused on creating a structured, measurable sustainability strategy that not only met industry standards but also positioned Addison Group as a responsible business leader. Now in their second year of carbon footprint measurement, they have:
- Developed a comprehensive Net Zero report
- Gained expert support for CDP reporting
- Improved their CDP score from a D in 2024 to a B—the highest rating possible for SMEs—demonstrating remarkable progress
A key milestone in this journey was the transformation of their data management approach. Positive Planet helped Addison’s collect, organise, and analyse sustainability data, enabling them to track progress more effectively and make informed business decisions. Additionally, tailored ESG strategies were developed, ensuring that carbon reduction initiatives were targeted and meaningful across multiple business units.
The Benefits
Addison Group’s commitment to sustainability has delivered a range of benefits, strengthening both internal engagement and external performance. Internally, there is now greater awareness and participation in sustainability initiatives, with employees actively contributing to Addison Group’s environmental goals. This increased engagement has fostered a culture of responsibility, where sustainability is embedded in day-to-day operations and decision-making. Employees are now also exploring further learning opportunities, including sustainability training programmes to support the organisation’s overall carbon reduction goals.
Externally, Addison’s sustainability progress has enhanced its competitiveness in tenders and supplier selection processes. Clients are increasingly prioritising ESG commitments, and Addison Group’s improved CDP score and structured sustainability strategy have provided a key differentiator in the marketplace. With the newfound knowledge and motivation to build a better business, the organisation is now wasting no time to take its sustainability performance to the next level, with aspirations to achieve an A rating in future CDP assessments already being discussed. Addison Group is now also positioned as a future-proof supplier as it continues to meet ESG expectations of clients and strengthen its market reputation by sharing best practices at industry events.
Next Steps
Looking ahead, Addison’s is expanding its sustainability efforts across its supply chain, ensuring environmental and social responsibility are embedded at every level of the business. Key initiatives include:
- Supply Chain Sustainability: Working closely with suppliers to improve sustainability practices and align with Addison Group’s ESG commitments.
- Renewable Energy Expansion: Building on existing solar energy initiatives at their Precision factory by introducing a solar carport and low-level wind turbines to further reduce energy consumption.
- Impact Reporting: Developing a four-pillar impact report focused on People, Community, Sustainability, and Innovation—demonstrating their broader impact and alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Ongoing Employee Training: Providing further sustainability education to ensure the entire team remains engaged and equipped to drive meaningful change.
Addison Group’s journey with Positive Planet is far from over. With a clear vision, structured strategy, and an engaged workforce, they are well on their way to becoming an industry leader in sustainability—and proving that responsible business is good business.
