ISO 14001 for mid-sized companies: sustainability as a matter of the heart
Rainer Ströbel, Managing Director at Ströbel CEO,
puts it in a nutshell:
„We see not only quality and reliability, but also feeling and sensitivity for the environment as our duty! Not least out of a sense of responsibility towards future generations.“
As an owner-managed company, we act precisely according to this principle - with conviction, responsibility and a clear goal: to integrate sustainability into our daily business activities.
Climate change, environmental pollution, dying forests and the ongoing deforestation of rainforests are serious challenges that affect us as a society. As a medium-sized company, we see it as our responsibility to make our contribution to a sustainable future. This is not just about regulations or figures, but about genuine commitment and living values. ISO 14001 certification was an important step for us on this path - because we are convinced that economic success and environmental protection must go hand in hand.
ISO 14001 is an internationally recognised standard for environmental management systems. But for us, it is much more than that: it helps us to firmly anchor sustainable behaviour in our day-to-day business. With a clear plan and measurable targets, we ensure that we continuously improve our environmental performance - from reducing CO₂ emissions to more efficient resource utilisation and sustainable production processes.
OUR ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES - WHAT WE ACTUALLY DO
LED-Lighting
Our conversion at the Wasenmühlweg site saves at least 25,000 kWh of electricity per year, which corresponds to a CO₂ reduction of 9.25 tonnes.
Photovoltaic power plants
Our plants at the Wasenmühlweg and Mühlsteig sites produce around a third of our own electricity consumption.
Pellet heating
At the Mühlsteig site, we use pellet heating, which emits significantly less CO₂ than fossil fuels.
Heat recovery
In our production halls and warehouses, we use waste heat efficiently to supply warm air in winter.
Paperless office
Since 2012, we have been working without paper as far as possible, thereby conserving valuable resources.
Optimisation of shipping cartons
We save around 21,500 cartons per year.
Recyclable packaging (MONO-Line)
Through the circular economy, we reduce the consumption of non-renewable raw materials.
WWF membership
As an active member, we support the protection of nature and the preservation of valuable habitats.
Bicycle leasing for employees
We promote environmentally friendly mobility and enable our employees to use modern company e-bikes.
Water dispensers
By providing water dispensers, we reduce the consumption of reusable and PET water bottles.
Why ISO 14001 is particularly important for SMEs
Medium-sized companies are often faced with the challenge of balancing sustainability and economic efficiency. ISO 14001 helps to master this balancing act and offers tangible benefits:
- lower costs by conserving resources - Sustainable management saves energy and materials in the long term.
- certainty in matters of environmental law - Legal regulations are systematically complied with and documented.
- trust with customers and partners - Sustainable behaviour strengthens our image and creates long-term business relationships.
- motivated employees - Our team identifies with our values and is actively committed to sustainable processes.
A major step - and a conscious decision
It's no secret: for medium-sized companies, certification such as ISO 14001 involves considerable effort - both in terms of personnel and finances. Processes have to be analysed, structures adapted and measures consistently implemented. However, it was clear to us from the outset that it would be worth it! For us, sustainability is not a cost factor, but an investment in the future. Certification has not only helped us to define our environmental goals even more clearly, but also to make our entire company more resilient and competitive in the long term.
Sustainability doesn't stop at the factory gate
For us, it's not just what we do in our own operations that counts - we look beyond our own backyard and work closely with our suppliers to ensure a sustainable value chain. We focus on long-term, collaborative partnerships and attach great importance to ensuring that our partners also comply with and continuously improve environmental standards.
Where are we heading?
Sustainability is not a one-off project for us, but an ongoing development. We have set ourselves ambitious goals for the coming years:
- the increased use of renewable energies
- increasing the proportion of recycling in our production
- introducing innovative technologies to further conserve resources
Our ambition is clear: we not only want to produce more sustainably, we also want to set an example - for our employees, our customers and our partners. Because we are convinced that every step towards environmental protection counts.
Our message:
Sustainability is not a goal that is achieved at some point - it is a continuous process. With ISO 14001, we have a clear framework for systematically integrating environmental awareness into our company. But most importantly, we do it out of conviction and with passion. Because for us as a family business, it's not just about figures - it's about the future of our children and grandchildren.