The Steinbeis Consulting Group is supporting Hofmann Global’s journey towards a sustainable future.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany face a number of major challenges. Alongside digitalization and the skills shortage, sustainability is also becoming an increasingly important issue for their businesses. In addition to the environmental aspects, this also encompasses the economic and social dimensions. Companies that are quick to address this challenge can secure their future and gain a competitive edge. Based in Pfungstadt in the state of Hesse, balancing specialists Hofmann Global are being supported on this journey by the Steinbeis Consulting Group Sustainability.
VSME standard criteria at a glance
Hofmann Mess- und Auswuchttechnik GmbH & Co. KG, or Hofmann Global for short, is an international medium-sized enterprise that has been synonymous with innovative precision balancing technology for several decades. Like many manufacturing companies, Hofmann Global faces growing demands in relation to the sustainability of its business, due to regulatory requirements and the expectations of its major customers, who are increasingly demanding transparency with regard to CO₂ emissions, social indicators and aspects of the supply chain. At the same time, the company still needs to address the key challenges of driving down costs and staying competitive.
In conjunction with the interdisciplinary Steinbeis Consulting Group Sustainability, Hofmann Global has launched a sustainability project aimed at identifying energy-saving opportunities that can deliver cost reductions. At the same time, the initiative aspires to set the business on the road towards a sustainable corporate strategy that is fit for the future.
The Steinbeis experts broke the project down into three main stages: an energy audit using the DIN EN 16247 standard, calculation of the company’s carbon footprint, and ESG reporting using the VSME voluntary reporting standard for small and medium-sized undertakings.
The consulting team is also helping with implementation of the relevant measures and providing advice about appropriate funding opportunities.
Energy audit is key to improving energy efficiency
“The first step was to carry out an energy audit using the DIN EN 16247-1 standard, which is specially geared towards the requirements of non-residential buildings like factory buildings, workshops and offices,” explains Steinbeis expert Mike Schmidt. The aim of the audit is to systematically document and assess all the relevant energy flows within the business. In addition to electricity and heating consumption, this also involves analyzing general purpose technologies such as compressed air, lighting, ventilation and cooling systems.
The audit identifies specific energy-saving opportunities such as replacing outdated technologies, uptime optimization or the use of renewable energy. For Hofmann Global, this means that as well as cutting their energy costs they have also been able to reduce their CO₂ emissions – an environmental and financial win-win.
Carbon footprinting provides CO₂ emission transparency
In the second stage of the project, the Steinbeis Consulting Group is calculating the company’s carbon footprint to systematically document its CO₂ emissions. Specific tools tailored to each company’s particular requirements are used, depending on the complexity of their operations. The footprinting process uses the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and covers the main emission sources, such as the energy supply, the vehicle fleet, and both upstream and downstream supply chain processes.
As well as supplying the figures requested by customers, the carbon footprint also provides a basis for developing an effective climate action and transition plan. It shows where the biggest opportunities to reduce emissions are and identifies the most effective measures that can be taken.
ESG reporting embeds sustainability in corporate strategy
ESG reporting using the VSME standard is a key part of the project. This approach makes starting sustainability reporting manageable for medium-sized undertakings, allowing them to meet the requirements of customers, banks and other stakeholders. “At the start of the project we carried out a materiality assessment to identify the sustainability issues relevant to Hofmann Global. Based on this, we set targets, documented the key indicators and measures, and pulled everything together in a concise report”, explains Steinbeis Entrepreneur Rüdiger Senft. As well as facilitating communication with stakeholders, this also helps to embed sustainability in the corporate strategy.
Funding opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises
The funding of sustainability projects is an important consideration for SMEs. The Steinbeis experts are providing Hofmann Global with extensive advice on regional and national funding opportunities. Funding can be applied for both for the initial consultation and analysis, and for the implementation of specific measures aimed, for example, at improving energy efficiency or delivering the climate targets in a transition plan. This reduces the financial burden of transitioning to sustainable practices and minimizes the risk for the company.
Sustainability brings opportunities
The project with Hofmann Mess- und Auswuchttechnik is a good example of how SMEs can use sustainability as a strategic advantage. As well as providing transparency about the business’s environmental impacts, the combination of energy auditing, carbon footprinting and ESG reporting also delivers specific recommendations for improving its efficiency and satisfying external requirements. In conjunction with funding, the support from Steinbeis helps to make the transition to sustainability both practical and financially attractive.