Forge Europa

Sector:  Manufacturing
No.of Employees:  1-20
Region: North West 

Summary
As a growing technical business, part of Forge Europa's motivation for engaging in community activity is to attract top employees. Another key objective is to ensure Forge Europa staff are motivated and feel involved in the company and its aims. Inviting staff to select and participate in community activities Forge Europa believes assists commitment.

Background
A small company of just 15 employees, Forge Europa specializes in the design, development and manufacture of LED (light emitting diode lamps and displays such as those used in traffic lights) technology.  The company is based in the small market town of Ulverston in Cumbria.

Forge Europa has achieved the CommunityMark standard.

How they do it

• Workshops for local schools.  After discussions with local schools, Forge Europa agreed to run a school workshop on LEDs.  These workshops utilize the expertise of their staff and enhance the resources available to local schools. 

• Promotion of 'Ulverston, The Festival Town.' Forge Europa approached the Welfare State, a group that organizes local festivals, and offered to help with the annual Lantern Festival.  This partnership has potentially resulted in Forge Europa providing the festival with free LED lamps and technical advice

• Provide kits for local football team.  Forge Europa sponsored the kits for the Under 10 squad.  The kits display the Forge Europa logo and a photo of a Forge Europa employee with the team in their new uniforms was featured in the local paper.

• Support of local primary school.  Forge Europa's headquarters are located very near a local primary school.  This proximity and the involvement of a key Forge Europa staff member in the school's PTA have resulted in a strong partnership.   The company helps with fundraisers, sponsors the annual Christmas tree and presents workshops at the school.

• Sponsor a PhD student.  In an effort to increase their technical expertise, the company has sponsored a Cambridge University student who is studying LED technology.

Business Benefits

• Positive media coverage.  In the past year the free media coverage received as a result of their community work would have cost Forge Europa over £1500 to purchase as advertising space.
  
  
• Employee skill development. 
  
  
• Team building
  
  
• Increased interest from prospective employees.  Since increasing their community programs Forge Europa has seen an increase in the number of applications they receive.  During the interview process applicants often say that reading about Forge Europa's community activities were an influential factor in applying for a job with the company.