Providing financial, marketing and business communications services to some of Canada’s finest, Bowne believes that we must work hard to create a sustainable future
By Ian Armitage
A business unit of Bowne & Co. Inc., a global leader in document management and printing for financial and corporate clients, Bowne of Canada Ltd’s products and services include data/document management and dissemination services, print management, production, fulfillment, warehousing and distribution.
“Bowne provides financial, marketing and business communications services around the world,” explains Brian Arrol, Manager, Quality Services/Health, Safety & Environmental, Bowne of Canada. “Numerous clients look to us to handle, prepare, file, create and distribute customized, one-to-one, regulatory, shareholder and transactional communications on demand with speed and accuracy, and in a variety of medium – be that online or in print.” With 3,200 employees in 60 offices around the globe, Bowne has met the ever-changing demands of its clients for more than 230 years.
The 80,000 square foot Canadian plant is centrally located in Toronto, employing 250 full time employees working on multiple shifts. Bowne is registered to the ISO 9001: 2000 Series of Standards and is considered an example to follow when it comes to the environment and sustainability.
Environmental review
By continually reviewing all aspects of workplace environment, work practices and methods, Brian feels that Bowne of Canada will be able to develop best practices, taking full of advantage of technology to reduce waste and energy consumption to ensure that environmental impact is minimal.
“We recognize the importance and advantage of sustainability and environmental management objectives,” Brian says. “You can’t have a good business without doing the right things long term. We started on this road several years ago with a couple of key drivers: we wanted to be perceived as a leader within the industry, and we wanted to be aligned with our key verticals.”
As part of this, Bowne commissioned a Pollution Prevention (P2) Assessment through the TRSP to identify the root causes of pollutants/waste streams and recommend P2 solutions. The primary purpose of the assessment was to assist Bowne in meeting the P2 regulatory requirements from all orders of government, while satisfying its own specific criteria.
“We work to reduce our impact in all areas,” says Brian. “This covers everything from the number of paper towels we use to the type of ink we print with.”
He adds: “We have always been committed to providing good value to our customers while adding social and environmental value to our employees and the community. Our ultimate goal is to not just ensure compliance, but to take full advantage of available technologies and best practices. We have re-aligned our goals and now have a solid action plan in place which will pay dividends and assist us on the road to true environmental sustainability.”
Such moves toward green thinking and sustainability have enabled Bowne to solidify business with some of it key verticals. “In this day and age the major financial institutions are placing a huge emphasis on the environment,” says Brian. “Being compliant is therefore a key driver in securing their business in the future.” The sustainability push has also seen Bowne invest in new technologies, and the company continues to review all business practices.
“We are continually reassessing,” adds Martin Kneis, Director of Business Development. “We have an ongoing internal sustainability committee that looks at everything we do and have gone further than most when it comes to our commitment to building a sustainable future.”
Bowne, which won the Canadian Council Minister of the Environment Award for a mid sized business 2007, is certainly a great example for Canadian business to follow. Hopefully, says Brian, clients will take note of what Bowne is doing and will want to partner with it in business.
Progressive growth
Bowne of Canada (formerly Plow and Watters) has grown progressively over the years, and now occupies a strong position the market. The Vestcom acquisition in 2006 has gone some way in strengthening that. Revenue last year was around $100 million and the company is on target to surpass that this year. “We are focused on our core business where we enjoy market leadership positions and significant competitive advantages,” says Martin.
“With superior customer service and industry-leading technology, we are well-positioned to build on our leadership position in existing markets and expand into new verticals. We expect to grow both organically and through strategic acquisitions in areas closely aligned to our core business, allowing us to anticipate and address the needs of our clients while creating long-term value for our shareholders.”
The digital market is changing, and recent acquisition, as well as the push for sustainability has enabled Bowne to position itself well in newer markets. “We are in a niche sector, which has segmented considerably in recent years,” continues Martin. “It has been a pretty good year for some printers who have a product offering that is diverse enough to weather some of the hills and valleys that are normal within the year for this industry.”
Increasingly, clients are becoming aware of the importance of sustainability and there is an opportunity for organisations like Bowne to help larger clients reduce their overall environmental impact: “We can partner with business to help them meet sustainability and environmental requirements,” says Brian. “As a result, the future looks bright for us, especially if we continue to have a diverse product range. We have to find the right balance and appeal to a broad range of requirements without spreading ourselves too thinly and falling into the jack of all trades scenario.”