Setting an example – how successful sustainability management works in a company

Tabea, what is your specific task when it comes to implementing ASSA ABLOY’s sustainability goals in Switzerland?

As a project manager, I am responsible for the sustainability projects in our company, which are rather challenging and sometimes awkward in day-to-day business. In other words, larger sustainability initiatives, some of which may encroach significantly into day-to-day work during their implementation and must therefore be planned carefully and in detail in advance together with management.

Can you give us some examples of projects?

One of my first major projects in this context was the energy-related renovations of the sites in Richterswil and Kleinlützel, which were intended to help us achieve an important main objective of our 2025 sustainability programme. My responsibilities included monitoring and evaluating the external reports on the status quo as well as analysing and comparing different alternative energy sources as a basis for decision-making for modernisation. Ultimately, by switching to pellet heating, we have been able to reduce the total CO2 emissions so successfully that the original reduction targets have already been significantly exceeded.

The current sustainability report mentions several times that the set targets have been exceeded in some cases, including when it comes to covering our own electricity requirements with the new photovoltaic systems. How can you top that?

We have already achieved impressive successes with the measures taken so far and are also proud that we are significantly exceeding our own goals in some areas. However, we are also at a point where the 'low hanging fruit' – as I call them – have been picked and new challenges await us. Key word: Machine efficiency.

The next step will be to carefully check our production processes, but above all the performance of our machines and production systems, in order to identify energy guzzlers and shortfalls, for example, which have enormous savings potential. Since the installation and commissioning of a new laser cutting system last year, for example, we have already been able to save around 100 MWh of electricity in the first six months. A project is currently underway to support us in comprehensive analysis processes in the area of building and production systems.

What exactly does this analysis process look like?

It is based on a tool that allows the energy flow to be measured, proactively managed and optimised. For this purpose, machines, systems and the like are equipped with their own measuring points to collect real-time data and support us with the evaluation, identifying weak points and then being able to remedy them effectively. Colleagues from Richterswil and Kleinlützel are ahead of the game here and are driving the implementation of this tool forward.

That sounds like a lot of work. How do you keep motivation high?

There’s no reason to rest on our laurels, there’s still a lot to do. We are delighted that all our colleagues in Switzerland are so committed and willing to travel this path with us. I also see it as our task to constantly raise and develop awareness for ASSA ABLOY’s sustainability topics. For example, the information screens installed at heavily frequented touchpoints, such as in the corridor to the canteen or in the production halls, showing real-time evaluations of our most important sustainability parameters, are very well received. Employee projects and overarching sustainability initiatives are also discussed as separate topics in the employee meetings.

What are your next major milestone projects?

The next objective will be measures for tackling Scope 3 of the GHG Protocol . In fact, we are currently taking a close look at the upstream supply chain and our research and development. However, even more know-how is required in our own ranks. That’s why empowering our employees on site is an equally important pillar of our commitment to sustainability. An internal team is currently working intensively on data collection in order to comprehensively analyse our actual situation with regard to Scope 3. The next step in the process will be to use the findings to develop concrete ideas that will take us further in our sustainability aspirations and set new benchmarks.

We are currently reviewing all materials used in our products. Our goal is to replace these with new materials with lower CO2 emissions. For example, we are increasingly using recycled materials, which significantly reduces CO2 emissions. As a further measure, we determine the weight of all components and minimise it where possible, which also helps to reduce greenhouse gases.