Dear colleagues and members of the Phoenix family,
There’s no way to sugar-coat it: 2022 wasn’t an easy year. Aside from numerous geopolitical tensions and rampant financial issues, we’re still dealing with the effects of the pandemic nearly three years on. But as 2022 draws to a close and we’re able to reflect on a difficult period, we recognise our ability to tackle challenges head-on wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of those within the industry.
Working Together to Strengthen a Robust and Sustainable Supply Chain
The arrival of COVID highlighted something that for us was already very clear: the importance of a strong supply chain. Maintaining and improving distribution capabilities has always been a top priority for Phoenix. It’s a proactive approach that once again proved invaluable this year, as we continued to provide reliable products and services to those who need them most.
Sustaining that all-important infrastructure involves nurturing existing partnerships across all levels of the supply chain, from farmland to clinic. We put great effort into strengthening those relationships in 2022. In a practical sense, it gave us further control over product quality and allowed us to proportionally increase stock levels. But on a more personal level, it allowed us to better achieve our ultimate goal: to support the wider Chinese medicine community.
Improving our Internal Framework
The internal health of Phoenix was a top priority for management, as we remained dedicated to meeting all the relevant regulatory requirements. This year saw our continued compliance with approved supplier schemes through the British Herbal Medicine Association (BHMA) and other professional bodies.
We also added two layers of certification that we’re extremely proud of. ISO 9001 certification & ISO 140001 certification both represent steps forward in terms of our management processes and environmental responsibility. Attaining top accreditation in relevant fields will always be important to Phoenix. We will achieve further internal milestones in the future.
Commitment to Innovation, Production & Promotion
The highly anticipated launch of our DaoDi culinary herb range officially took place this year, introducing a fresh dimension to the kitchens of many households and herbalists. Our upgraded pain management patches have drawn enormous attention from practitioners, and the new mushroom coffee range products were extremely well-received on top of our existing popular organic mushroom line.
With a new environmentally optimised design came our 100% recyclable eco-acupuncture needle bundles. Plus, all our herbal products have eco-friendly packaging, which is a source of great pride. Naturally, we’ll continue to use sustainable resources, push to minimise waste and increase efficiency wherever possible.
Charity Endeavours and Sharing Knowledge
During this tumultuous year, Phoenix helped practitioners achieve their charitable aims by supporting organisations such as ICENI Ipswich, World Medicine, Acupuncture Without Borders and Ukrainian Acupuncture Support, amongst others. We also continued supporting the students at various teaching institutes crucial to the furtherance of Chinese medicine knowledge such as KORE Academy UK, NCA, NADA and more.
We utilised resources to ensure practitioners stayed up to date through a series of webinars, online courses, and informational newsletters. We also explored and discussed both new and old topics within the industry. We enjoyed countless enriching interactions with a range of healthcare professionals we supply, each having its own medicinal rhythm and wisdom to impart.
The Year Ahead – 2023
One of the biggest fixtures in next year’s calendar is the launch of the UK Centre of Chinese Medicine (CCMUK), a not-for-profit organisation created to support practitioners through education, research, and promotion of Chinese medicine as a whole. Those goals will be given a considerable boost with the direct involvement of the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SHUTCM), one of the largest sources of Chinese Medicine wisdom in the world.
As the sun sets on what was a difficult 12 months for many, we nonetheless find ourselves looking to 2023 with optimism and excitement. Whatever happens, Phoenix will remain an oasis for those practising within the industry: a source of dependability and reliability, as we continue to support healthcare professionals in their quest to deliver effective treatment. The relationships we forged and maintained within the industry will serve as the foundations for what we attempt to build next year.
Final Word
Phoenix is one part of a flowing, interdependent system that relies on the connective strength of its constituents. And so, we propose heading into the new year with a reinvigorated understanding of our professional relationship. We’re sure it will present its own challenges, but if 2022 crystallised anything, it’s that the best way to work through them is together. We sincerely hope you’ll join us on this upcoming journey.
Not as customers, or clients – as partners.
We wish you and your family a healthy festive period and a happy new year.
With warmest regards,
George He MMedSci FRSM
Managing Director
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