Tackling the issue of sustainability means that businesses of every kind need to commit to the solution: there are no businesses which cannot make a difference. Wahl Clipper is an example of a legacy manufacturer that is changing their approach to create a better future. S. Brahmandam, Global Director of R&D at Wahl Clipper says that the company is hard-wired to look after the people they employ, which means looking closely at every aspect of the manufacturing process to ensure that it not operate to the detriment of the staff running the machines and assembling products: “People play a big role in assembling the product and maintaining the machines so we provide more ergonomic workstations and automating some of the hard-to-do work so that it is done by machines rather than the people.” Brahmandam say that the company’s commitment to people is matched by a commitment to the environment and that ultimately the two are connected. He highlights three main approaches to more sustainable manufacture: “We are always looking at ways to minimise our footprint. First, the materials we are using – the biggest thing is packaging. How can we recycle materials and use materials that are easier to recycle? The second aspect is in product design – so designing it for durability and quality. The third element is the process we use to develop a product. There is taking care of the environment when we create a product internally and allowing the customer to take care of the environment at the disposal of the product.” Today, Brian Wahl is CEO at Wahl Clipper. Wahl’s great-grandfather invented the electro-magnetic hair clipper in 1919 – and they’ve been making improvements to the design ever since, becoming a world leader in the grooming industry in the process. Wahl says that keeping the business family-owned and thinking long-term has an impact on the culture of the organisation: “We’ve been around for over a hundred years. A big part of what we do is that we want to empower our people to be successful at their craft and provide for their families. We don’t necessarily look at short term quarterly shareholder results, we want people to have full careers here. We have some people who have worked for the company for over 50 years. We want to make products that are built to last and we want to help people maintain and service them. The relationship with the customer does not stop at the sale of the product.” Such long-term approaches include ‘Fade It Forward’, a scholarship program that identifies at-risk young people and provides training in barbering skills; and “Dirty Dogs” which grooms animals in rescue shelters. Such programs follow the core values of Wahl: repair, make good and mend rather than throw away something that just needs a little TLC. Wahl says: “I’ve always seen barbers and stylists as the cornerstones of society. It’s where people go to connect, talk about life and look and feel good. We have an opportunity to create more connections with the barbering community to inspire other future barbers as well as connect with their clients.” Placing people at the centre of their aims has made Wahl a true force for good in lives across the world.