AFD Software Ltd – The Postcode People specialise in helping businesses with address management software.
AFD provides employment with minimal commute-to-work distances, making it realistic for staff to walk and cycle.
AFD Group purchased the near-derelict Island Film Studios site in 2014 and developed it as the Mountain View Innovation Centre – its headquarters and a thriving business and community hub.
They have planted more than 4,000 trees, installed environmentally friendly sewage and hot water systems, invested in high grade insulation and installed LED lighting controlled by motion sensors.
Staff and other site users are provided with reusable drinking bottles that can be filled from water points installed throughout the site in a bid to reduce single use plastic bottles.
Recycling units make it easy for employees and community members to sort their waste, which is then recycled.
With a bustling community of businesses, members and guests, AFD have increased shower facilities to support those who prefer to commute on foot or by bicycle. Bicycle storage is available.
Very much established as pioneers for the adoption of green energy on a large scale on the Isle of Man, Mountain View boasts an impressive solar array made up of 428 JA Solar Smart modules. The current total potential energy production for the Mountain View Site is a massive 126,430 Watts, generating over 880kWh per day. Although already generating enough energy to keep the site completely self-sufficient for energy for at least 6 months of the year, Mountain View continued to innovate, commissioning and installing a Tesla Power Pack System to maximise their energy harvest. With the capacity to store enough energy to power the entire site for 36 hours – or even an entire weekend when the consumption is lower, this setup is easily the largest storage energy system, and first of its kind, on the Isle of Man.
The company were the first employer on the Island to launch a staff electric vehicle scheme which includes a Treasury-approved salary sacrifice option to its staff, meaning that the Income Tax, National Insurance and Employers NI saved can all be directed to providing the vehicles and offsetting the higher capital cost of the cars. With charging infrastructure installed on site, eligible staff can make journeys using some of the surplus electricity generated on-site.
The AFD Group endeavours to ‘buy local’ even if this means paying a bit extra.
Staff and tenants at Mountain View have free use of allotment beds to grow fruit and vegetables.
AFD also recognised that its landscaped gardens, with an abundance of flowering trees, plants and meadow, offered an ideal habitat and home for honeybees and two colonies have been established. Local beekeeping experts have delivered educational sessions at Mountain View, in recognition of bees' importance to a healthy environment and economy.
Set in 25-acres, the green spaces and woodland are celebrated with a number of nature walks and an impressive collection of commissioned sculptures.
The AFD Group is founded on objectives which recognise its role in society. The company embraces all aspects of what makes the Isle of Man a special place to live and extends this beyond the site walls. In just one initiative running annually since 1998, every member of staff at AFD has been invited to nominate a charity to receive a donation on their behalf from AFD. In 2022 over £1.5 million was donated to around 90 different charities bringing the total for the last 6 years alone to in excess of £8.5 million, sending vital funds to support the lives of those who need it most.
The company provides its facilities free of charge or at a subsidised rate for community groups and charities. They endeavour to work with a wide range of local organisations and start-ups to deliver events for the local community.
AFD Group’s businesses include the children’s TV Series Friends and Heroes, which was the first ever to be dubbed in Manx. As well as making this available internationally, AFD donated copies to Bunscoill Ghaelgagh.
Further promoting Manx culture, staff are encouraged to answer the phone in Manx and site signage is bi-lingual where practical.
