Leading Australian distributor Tempo has been certified as a B Corporation, a move that sets the multi-continent supplier apart in a channel where distributors typically compete on little more than price, logistics and credit terms.

The certification, awarded by independent non-profit B Lab, places the company among a group of just over 9,000 certified businesses globally and is understood to be a rare achievement for a consumer electronics and appliance distributor of Tempo’s scale and for Australian Companies operating in global markets.

Tempo, which has more than 25 years of experience supplying leading retailers across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, the United Kingdom and North America, was assessed on its governance, employee practices, environmental management, community engagement and customer stewardship as part of the certification process.

The three directors of the Company are brothers, Harry Stergiotis, Nick Stergiotis and Andrew Stergiotis.

“Becoming a Certified B Corporation is a significant achievement for Tempo and a reflection of the values that guide our business every day,” said Nick Stergiotis.

“We believe businesses have a responsibility to create value beyond financial returns by supporting our people, serving our customers, strengthening communities and reducing our environmental footprint. B Corp Certification validates our commitment to being a force for good.”

What Certification Involves

A Certified B Corporation is a company that has been independently verified by B Lab as meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

To qualify, a company must score at least 80 points on the B Impact Assessment, which covers governance, workers, community, environment and customers. Companies are also required to amend their constitution to legally embed stakeholder consideration alongside shareholder returns, and must recertify every three years.

The recertification requirement means the standard is not a one-off badge, with companies obliged to maintain rigorous standards and demonstrate continuous improvement over time.

Why It Matters In The Channel

For a distributor supplying multiple retailers around the world, the commercial benefits are significant.

Distribution is a tough, low-margin business that is rarely glamorous and often volatile, with distributors needing to be moving into new categories before existing ones collapse. In that environment, B Corp status is a rare point of difference when pitching to vendors and retailers.

The credential is particularly valuable when dealing with brands that have their own ESG commitments and need supply chain partners that do not undermine their sustainability claims. More global brands are now screening distribution partners on ESG criteria, while government and enterprise procurement increasingly weights certified sustainability credentials, meaning B Corp status can be the box-tick that gets a distributor onto a panel or shortlist.

For distributors handling refurbished goods, e-waste or takeback programs, third-party verification also adds credibility that self-declared “green” claims do not carry.

There are internal benefits as well. The assessment process forced a hard look at waste, packaging, freight emissions and supplier practices at Tempo, a process that often surfaces genuine cost savings in a low-margin business. B Certified companies also often have an edge attracting younger staff who want employers with demonstrated values.

A Broad And Growing Portfolio

Tempo partners with many of the world’s leading retailers, delivering consumer products that support everyday living.

The company is seen in the channel as flexible and able to move into categories as demand grows, and already has a growing portfolio of brands spanning TVs, audio visual products, appliances and whitegoods, alongside snacking, canned seafood, hygiene, household and personal care lines.

“Certification recognises the commitment our people, partners and stakeholders that have been made over many years,” Stergiotis said.

“It also reinforces our responsibility to keep improving, measuring our impact and ensuring future growth creates positive outcomes for all stakeholders.”

What Comes Next

Management claim that as Tempo continues to expand internationally, the company will use its B Corp platform to strengthen its environmental, social and governance initiatives, foster innovation and create lasting value for customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers and the communities in which it operates.