On Wednesday April 28th, Scott Bader celebrates a major milestone in its history – 100 years of the company and 70 years of the Scott Bader Commonwealth. 2021 is a special year for Scott Bader, and despite the backdrop of a pandemic, the company has adapted to organise a range of celebrations.
More about the history and how they are marking their centenary year, can be found on the company’s website where there is a dedicated area. This includes a timeline that captures the company’s 100-year journey from war torn London to the global enterprise it has become serving customers from 15 offices around the world, noting significant landmarks such as the move to the rural manor house in Wollaston and Ernest Bader gifting the company to his employees to form the Scott Bader Commonwealth. Details about Scott Bader’s rich history and reflections from people who have played a role over the years are documented in a Commemorative book, copies of which will be given to employees, and a digital version made available on the website for anyone to read.
Scott Bader’s CEO, Kevin Matthews. on reaching this significant milestone:
“The principles and values that Scott Bader’s founder Ernest Bader enshrined in the Constitution have fantastic resonance with the needs of the 21st Century as society transforms itself onto a path that is sustainable in the long-term. To this end Scott Bader also recognises its own role in the transition of its customers supply chains to be sustainable and this is likely to be the main driving force for the Company in the years and decades to come.”
Scott Bader Commonwealth Chairman, Robert Gibson, on the Commonwealth’s 70th anniversary:
It’s humbling and with pride to realise, 70 years on, how new and special the very ideas of Commonwealth and Employee Ownership were all those years ago. Generations since have benefitted from the sound foundation of principles, core values and working culture on which the company is built. We’ve come a long way and as we look forward those founding principles are as relevant TODAY as they were at the start – and will continue. All of us in Scott Bader are a part of building a bright future.”
In 2018 Scott Bader launched their 2036 vision for a sustainable future. During their centenary year, the company has chosen to support several environmental initiatives that will both protect and reduce their impact on the environment. These include donating to the World Land Trust’s (WLT) Buy an Acre Programme for a conservation project in Argentina and committing to the WLT’s Carbon Balanced Programme which places a pledge on the company to reduce its carbon emissions. The intention is that these initiatives will be continued beyond 2021. Centenary time capsules, at each Scott Bader manufacturing site, will be buried by trees planted originally to mark the launch of their 2036 vision. These time capsules contain employee aspirations for the future of Scott Bader by 2036 and will not be opened until then.
And whilst the coronavirus pandemic has put paid to any parties, on their birthday Scott Bader employees around the world will be invited to attend a virtual celebration with videos, speeches and of course a very impressive birthday cake!
Scott Bader does not have a crystal ball, but for now at least the future does look promising and one thing they do know for certain is that in the impressive grounds of their Wollaston based head office, a sculpture representing their journey so far, by metal work artist John Creed, will soon be on display for all to see for now, for the next 100 years and beyond!
For more information visit Scott Bader’s centenary.
