Shaping the future together with a sense of responsibility – sustainability at Kerbl
As an owner-managed family business, we are deeply rooted in our region. This connection to our local area shapes our understanding of responsibility: we aim to operate in a way that protects nature, people and animals in the long term – and ensures that we, as a company, remain reliable and sustainable. For us, therefore, sustainability is not a one-off project, but an approach that we incorporate step by step into our processes, decisions and products.
Our in-house production across several market segments gives us the freedom to shape our approach – whilst at the same time increasing our responsibility. We can actively refine materials and packaging, optimise production and logistics processes, and put new solutions into practice more quickly. At the same time, we are constantly working to reduce our CO₂e footprint, further improve working conditions at our sites, and ensure transparency regarding social and environmental standards throughout our supply chain.
We are convinced that sustainability can only be achieved when environmental and social measures are combined with economic stability. For only an economically sound company can invest, drive innovation and remain a reliable partner for customers, business partners and employees in the long term.
Together with our employees, partners and companions, we want to responsibly shape the future of our industy.
Albert und Ulli Kerbl, managing partners
Our sustainability strategy
As an internationally active manufacturer and wholesaler with a large customer base and a global network of suppliers, we are aware of our impact. For us, sustainable corporate management therefore means firmly integrating environmental and social aspects into our strategy, making progress measurable, and communicating openly.
Since 2021, we have been developing a company-wide sustainability strategy, which we are continuously refining and expanding.
Our sustainability strategy serves as a guide for the targeted management of our activities. It brings together measures, assigns responsibilities and makes progress visible. What is important to us is that we do not rely on individual ‘flagship projects’, but on structured development across our value chain – from the product, through our sites and logistics, to the supply chain and corporate culture.
Based on our materiality analysis, we have defined key strategic focus areas on which we concentrate our measures and investments. These focus areas are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); they form the framework for our sustainable development and are being gradually expanded:
Climate management
The aim is to continuously reduce the carbon footprint of our sites and achieve climate neutrality in Scope 1 and 2 by 2040. The switch to renewable energy sources is an effective lever for reducing emissions. Measures have already been implemented or are in the planning stage at several sites, such as switching to green electricity contracts, installing photovoltaic and geothermal systems, or the gradual electrification of the vehicle fleet.
Products & circular economy
To systematically embed responsible resource management within the company, we have launched the ‘3R’ project, which focuses on three key areas: Reduce, Repair and Recycle. This principle helps us to prioritise measures throughout the entire life cycle – from material selection through to use and disposal. With our 3R approach, we are consistently expanding our circular product strategy and aim to take a leading role in our industry.
Our own staff
Our employees are central to our success. We therefore aim to be an attractive employer and promote a safe, healthy and supportive working environment, a good work-life balance, opportunities for development, diversity and equality.
Responsibility in the supply chain
As an international company, we work with numerous suppliers worldwide and take responsibility within the supply chain. Clear requirements regarding social standards, as well as our own Code of Conduct, promote fair working conditions, the protection of human rights and the reduction of environmental impact. Furthermore, we are a member of amfori BSCI and use its social audit programme to systematically assess working conditions at our suppliers. This fosters long-term partnerships and responsible collaboration.
Governance
Integrity, transparency and responsible corporate governance form the basis for trusting business relationships with customers, partners and employees. We therefore view sustainability as an integral part of good corporate governance. This includes clear lines of responsibility, transparent processes, responsible investment decisions and integrated risk management. For this reason, our sustainability strategy is developed, managed and regularly reviewed by the Executive Board. The strategic and operational implementation is carried out by the Sustainability Management team, which reports directly to the Executive Board as a staff function. To ensure it is effective across the entire organisation, we involve managers from all departments as well as employees in its further development.