Oldham Business achieves EcoVadis Platinum Accreditation

Ripple, the Oldham‑based retail design and manufacturing business, has achieved a rare combination of accreditations: EcoVadis Platinum, Investors in People Platinum, and triple UKAS ISO certification. Together, these place the company among a very small group recognised simultaneously for sustainability, people development, and operational excellence.

For a business that has been part of the local community for more than four decades, the achievement carries real meaning. It reflects not only external recognition, but the way Ripple operates every day.

Sustainability has become a growing priority across many industries, but for Ripple it has been a long‑term journey. Since partnering with EcoVadis in 2022, the company has been assessed across environmental impact, labour standards, ethics, and procurement. After several years at Gold level, Ripple has now reached Platinum status, placing it in the top 1% of companies assessed globally. This milestone is the result of steady, consistent improvements, from reducing carbon impact to strengthening supply chain standards.

Alongside its environmental work, Ripple has maintained a strong focus on its people. The company has held Investors in People accreditation for more than a decade and was awarded Platinum again in July 2025. Inside the business, this recognition matters. It reflects a culture built on open communication, long‑term development, and a sense of shared purpose values rooted in Ripple’s origins as a family‑run company.

In September 2025, Ripple secured triple UKAS ISO certification across quality, environmental management, and health and safety (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001). These standards guide how projects are delivered across the business. Rather than adding complexity, they bring clarity: documented processes, clear responsibilities, and consistent ways of working. For clients, this means fewer surprises, better communication, and smoother project delivery.

Ripple’s Oldham base remains central to its identity. Being local has helped build strong, long‑standing relationships and a level of trust that is difficult to replicate at a distance. At the same time, expectations from clients have evolved. There is now greater scrutiny of how businesses operate, not just what they produce. These accreditations provide a clear answer demonstrating Ripple’s approach to sustainability, people, and operational excellence.

Achieving three major accreditations in such a short period marks an important chapter for the business. The focus now is on maintaining those standards and continuing to build on them, step by step and project by project. For a company rooted in Oldham, that progress feels close to home and it’s something the team can take genuine pride in.

Managing Director David Wolfenden said “Ripple is both a retail design agency and a full‑scale manufacturing facility. As we approach our 44th anniversary, we remain a multi‑generational, family‑owned business that has continually evolved through decades of experience and improvement. Today, we combine that heritage with a modern outlook, staying at the forefront of our industry while retaining the character and values that define us.

“We are known for creating high‑performance retail environments and award‑winning showrooms that amplify brands, enhance customer journeys, and drive engagement. But our success has never been defined by output alone.

“At the heart of Ripple is a commitment to integrity, respect, and a people‑first philosophy. Whether working with our team, clients, suppliers, or the wider community, we believe strong, ethical relationships are fundamental to long‑term success. Our Investors in People Platinum accreditation, held since 2022, reflects this ethos and recognises the dedication of a highly skilled team committed to excellence.

“Operating across both design and manufacturing inevitably raises a critical question: how do you balance sustainability with profitability? Too often, these are framed as competing priorities. Our experience shows they can and should work in harmony.

“Over the past decade, Ripple has made sustained investments to reduce environmental impact while strengthening commercial performance. Carbon reduction and sustainability are not side initiatives; they are embedded within our core business strategy.

“Previously recognised with EcoVadis Gold for several consecutive years, we are now proud to have achieved EcoVadis Platinum status, placing Ripple in the top 1% of companies assessed globally. This milestone is not the result of a single initiative, but of consistent, long‑term commitment.

“Our approach has been practical and measurable. We have increased productivity while reducing energy consumption through continuous investment. This includes significant expansion of solar generation now producing almost as much energy as we consume alongside battery storage, a fully electric vehicle fleet, LED lighting throughout our facilities, and systems that convert production waste into heat.

“Crucially, these investments make commercial sense. With an average return period of around six years, they are now delivering reduced operating costs as well as environmental benefits.

“Ripple’s journey demonstrates that sustainability is not a constraint on growth; it is an enabler of it. Businesses do not need to choose between environmental responsibility and commercial success. With the right strategy and long‑term thinking, they can achieve both.”

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