BSL's Carbon Literacy Journey

Birmingham Specialities Ltd (BSL) recognises that to combat the current climate crisis it is imperative that manufacturers (such as ourselves) play their part in sourcing, manufacturing and managing waste responsibly and decarbonising in a way aligned with the current recommendations on 1.5ºC targets.

Sustainability is central to BSL’s long term business objectives and is an expectation from our parent company Indutrade who have mandated ESG reporting through World Favour & set group Sustainability KPIs of carbon neutrality by 2030. Although reporting and data collection measures have been in place since 2019, we found that understanding of the topic throughout the business was limited to certain individuals. Sustainability was not a prominent aspect of the organisational culture, and there was no structured plan for reducing emissions.

The biggest challenge with engagement we found was the misconceptions around climate change which drove people away from participating in any carbon reducing actions. Since our customers had started demanding more sustainable metal pressings, goods and services, we thought the first most important course of action was to improve awareness throughout our workforce. Our CL journey started with our MD, Scott Mawby, undertaking his Carbon Literacy training hosted by DRH AMRE, facilitated by Helen Rodgers and Susanne Bearblock. Carbon Literacy helps put into perspective the true cost of carbon and urgency with which we need to act.

The science section helps dispel any myths by raising awareness and understanding. We then rolled out training for the senior management team to start fostering environmental responsibility from the top down. In a bid to encourage further employees to participate in Carbon Literacy Training we decided to engage them first by conducting short mandatory ESG training and sharing informational posters that communicated what CL was all about. The importance of CL training and the need for active involvement is also communicated by the MD in his monthly communications. Conveying both personal and business benefits of sustainability has helped us get the ball rolling for embedding it within the culture.

To make the training more accessible and easier to follow, based on previous feedback we arranged 2-day training sessions with the help of Indutrade trainers. Splitting the previously single 8-hour session over 2 days helped make the content more digestible and also reduced impact on productivity. The trainings have prompted discussion throughout the workplace and brought about very ambitious staff pledges which will help BSL on our decarbonisation journey. BSL now has 17 staff formally trained and certified Carbon Literate as of January 2024. The business has seen sustainability competence increase massively over this period and this has led to the implementation of several projects.

The switch to LED lights, investments in infrared sensors in low footfall areas and changes in shift patterns has allowed us to reduce our electricity consumption by 9% between 2022 and 2023. The switch to 100% renewable electricity suppliers means that our Scope two emissions are down to zero. In 2023, despite an 12% increase in sales turnover, our combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions have decreased by 5%, from 84tCO2e to 80tCO2e and we will be working to reduce our carbon intensity even further.

Our sustainability approach now includes a defined strategy to help us achieve our targets of carbon neutrality by 2026 – a goal we have moved four years forward as we are committed to taking urgent action. Educating our workforce has also had an impact on employee engagement; a recent ESG survey in the business indicated that 86% of the staff want to volunteer in supporting the business in carbon reduction activities.

This is just the start of the journey for BSL and our next steps will be to move from diesel vehicles to EVs and switching to a Green Gas supplier. We will continue roll of CL training to existing and new staff so that we can individually and collectively play our roles in bringing transformative changes within the business.

Managing Director, Scott Mawby:

"As we journey towards our net-zero destination by 2026, I'm inspired by our collective commitment to environmental stewardship. Our approach integrates every facet of our operations, harnessing the power of each individual within BSL. Through comprehensive Carbon Literacy training, we've empowered our workforce to understand and contribute to our CO2 reduction efforts.

This investment has yielded remarkable results, fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability. Our business now operates more efficiently, with reduced emissions serving as the fuel for our progress. Together, we're not just reducing our carbon footprint; we're driving towards a greener, more resilient future for generations to come."

Company News

Buy P-Clips Online in the UK — BSL Launches pclips.co.uk

Published March 2026 · Birmingham Specialities Ltd

Birmingham Specialities Ltd, a leading UK manufacturer of precision metal pressings, has launched pclips.co.uk — a dedicated online store where you can buy P-clips in the UK with no large minimum order quantities. Whether you need a handful of rubber-lined P-clips for a home project or a box of stainless steel clips for a commercial job, the new platform gives you direct access to a British manufacturer.

3M+ P-Clips made annually

100% British-made in Birmingham

No min. Order Quantity

P-Clips Now Available to Buy Online — No Minimum Order

Until now, buying P-clips directly from a UK manufacturer typically meant placing large-volume orders. The launch of pclips.co.uk changes that. The store is purpose-built for end users, tradespeople, and small businesses who need access to high-quality P-clips in smaller quantities — without compromise on quality or origin.

Birmingham Specialities has spent decades supplying P-clips to commercial vehicle manufacturers, rail, marine, and off-road industries, where durability and performance in demanding environments are critical. That same manufacturing expertise and quality standard is now available to anyone, from a single order upwards.

Bundle of rubber-lined P-clips manufactured by Birmingham Specialities Ltd in the UK

What's available on pclips.co.uk

Rubber-lined P-clips
Stainless steel P-clips
Zinc-plated mild steel P-clips
Heavy duty P-clips
A wide range of sizes for cables, pipes, and hoses
Free delivery on orders over £30
Trade and volume pricing available

Who Is pclips.co.uk For?

The store is designed to serve anyone who needs to buy P-clips online in the UK quickly and without fuss. By making smaller-quantity purchasing simple while still supporting larger manufacturing requirements, Birmingham Specialities is bridging the gap between retail and manufacturing. Typical customers include:

DIY users and home projects
Mechanics and automotive repair
Electricians and cable installers
Maintenance engineers

Small businesses and workshops
Marine and off-road applications
Facilities management
Trade buyers needing top-up stock

Every P-clip on pclips.co.uk is manufactured at our Birmingham facility — the same factory trusted by major OEMs and industrial customers across the UK and Europe.

A Direct Route to a Trusted UK P-Clip Manufacturer

Unlike many online resellers sourcing from third-party suppliers, pclips.co.uk connects you directly to the manufacturer. That means consistent quality, full traceability, and a supply chain you can rely on — whether you're ordering ten clips or ten thousand.

Screenshot of the pclips.co.uk homepage — online store for UK-manufactured rubber-lined P-clips

The new pclips.co.uk store — browse by size, material, or fixing hole, or use the P-Clip Finder tool.

The site includes a P-Clip Finder tool to help customers identify the right clip for their application by pipe or cable diameter, material, and fixing hole size — reducing the guesswork often involved when sourcing fixings online.

High-Volume and Bespoke P-Clip Enquiries

pclips.co.uk is designed for fast, convenient online purchasing. For customers with high-volume requirements, bespoke designs, or OEM supply needs, Birmingham Specialities continues to handle those enquiries through the main site.