"Diversity inspires innovation." ates creativity. And quality. If we have a choice between two suppliers and one offer stands out due to superior sustainability parameters, then we choose that offer. A few years ago, this was not such a big issue. Today it is different. Let's talk about modern workplace models and diversity. What does Schöck have to offer here? We live diversity where we can, because diversity inspires innovation. People of many nationalities and cultures with different backgrounds and mindsets work for us. That is particularly important in a segment as specialised as ours. Admittedly, there are more men working for us than women at present. But that is only due to the traditionally high proportion of men in our production, who account for about half our employees. When we talk about modern workplace models, then we inevitably also talk about working from home. That is technically not possible for this group, for example. However, we have noticed that many colleagues like working together in place and are very happy to come to the office. It is also a fact that many good ideas and exciting thoughts arise unplanned, during informal chats at lunchtime or in the corridor over a coffee. If you only have scheduled online meetings, this factor which cannot be overlooked as part of the innovation process is lost. Are ideas on sustainability actively promoted in the company? We have the "CIP", the continuous improvement process. Always making things better is part of the Schöck culture. This is where we leverage the potentials for optimisation that arise in our day-to-day work. The momentum of sustainability often plays a part in this quite automatically. At the same time, we naturally have a structured process in product development to drive technological innovation forward, with clear milestones from the initial idea through to series production. And here again, we notice that new ideas related to sustainability are always popping up. From a legal standpoint, Schöck doesn't really have to present its first sustainability report until 2026. Why this early initiative? That's just the way we are. We don’t wait, we get started. It also focusses our attention internally and enables a good learning curve. In the coming years, we will continue to optimise the reporting process and will therefore be well prepared when the time comes. "You can't make sustainability by order." What do you think of this statement? I would agree with it in principle, because intrinsic motivation makes the difference between acting out of obligation and of free will. And at Schöck we always strive for free will in order to expand our leading role also in the field of sustainability. Nevertheless, I don't want to deny that the pressure from society, legislators and players within the building industry (e.g. planners) is growing in momentum. Commitment and clear framework conditions are needed. Only then can things be achieved on a large scale. 41 Schöck Sustainability Report 2022
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTg5MTA=