By John Behan, SOS Group Director
Every SOS Group client is committed to improving their environmental performance and the company has a solutions-based approach to making that possible in easy steps.
Not only that, the Gateshead-based office technology company is conscious of its own environmental impact and has recently addressed areas of improvement within its own operations.
John Behan, a director at SOS Group, explains: “It’s 2026, so every single business and organisation is already well aware of the responsibility we all have towards our environment.
“And it’s not only important for us to support clients towards their sustainability goals, helping them to reduce their energy usage and waste makes commercial sense too.
“It’s something we’re acutely aware of within our own set up and we recently upgraded our entire vehicle fleet to plug in hybrids.
“We’re also increasing use of remote care tools with our devices, which means a swift response time for our clients and less physical travel required. And we’ve updated our HQ with LED lighting throughout and energy saving heating.
“Ultimately, every business and organisation is unique and it’s our role to support our clients to make the best environmental decisions to produce efficiency and cost benefits.
“The approach varies and obviously differs from start-up companies to multinational manufacturers or big hitters in the service industry, but the end goal is always the same.
“Step by step, we can all make changes that make significant differences.”
One especially challenging area for environmental improvements is within the delivery of large, high-pressure sporting and political party events, where intensive printing is often still required.
During 2026, SOS Group will be providing copy print scan services at high profile events for big name clients including Swim England, UK Athletics and a major political party.
Last year, the company helped deliver at events including the Swim England Open Water National Championships, the Riding Disability Association’s National Championships, the Aquatics GB Diving Championships and Novuna UK Athletics Championships.
Events can range from one day to two weeks in duration, and venues can be as large as 13,000 square metres, requiring as many as 50 devices.
John continues: “In an ideal world, everything would be digital but in a packed out arena or stadium, it’s not always possible to rely on digital communication. In fact, in most cases, we find print is still the preferred methodology for our event clients.
“We have to look at ways for them to minimise the environmental impact that has and this is where practical solutions such as Epson’s heat-free inkjet technology can reduce energy usage and waste.”
Epson’s heat-free inkjet printers offer significant cost-saving and environmental benefits by consuming dramatically less energy than equivalent laser printers, using fewer consumables, producing lower CO2 emissions and requiring less intervention from engineers.
In addition, SOS Group’s zero-waste recycling programme gives all used ink and toner cartridges a new life, enabling the creation of new products from what were previously ‘single-use’ plastics.
It provides a specialist solution for used printer and copier consumables and has significant environmental benefits including reduced landfill waste, resource conservation and lowered pollution.
John adds: “While looking at our own green initiatives, we feel it’s very clear that every other business and organisation will not only be facing the same challenges, but will be searching for, or considering, the same solutions and outcomes.
“Our business has evolved so much over our 24 years of trading and we’re in no doubt that we can share our accumulated knowledge in the print vertical but also in the general business operations arena.”
Established in 2002, SOS Group is an award-winning office technology company facilitating business requirements across all sectors.
Based on the Team Valley and specialising in providing copy, print, scan solutions, the company has grown into an SME that counts multinationals within its established client base and also works closely to support startups and community organisations.
It has a central office on the Team Valley and staff, including specialist engineers servicing accounts nationally from six regional hubs in London, Scotland, the North West, Midlands, South Yorkshire, South West and North East.
For more information on how SOS Group can support business sustainability goals, please visit: www.sosgroup-ltd.co.uk