Social and environmental commitment in Germany

HAHN+KOLB Werkzeuge GmbH is committed to sustainable management that is ecologically and socially responsible. We feel we owe a duty to the health of people, society and the environment to continuously improve company and cross-company environmental protection. Our commitment to the environment is therefore divided into three areas:

Certification in accordance with DIN EN ISO 14001: 2015
Renaturalisation of the company premises
Resource-saving energy supply and state-of-the-art building technology

We are meeting this obligation by using our certification to the international environmental management standard DIN EN ISO 14001, which defines internationally recognised requirements for an environmental management system. The overall objective is to promote environmental protection and to reduce environmental impact – in accordance with economic, social and political requirements. Certification to DIN EN ISO 14001 therefore contributes to continuous improvement of environmental performance under consideration of different business divisions, ensures all applicable environmental legislation is met, involves employees in environmental issues and supports HAHN+KOLB’s communication with the public.

Renaturalisation of the company premises

Diverse biotopes

We have created a number of biotopes so that a wide variety of animal species are comfortable and settled on our company site. Our pond provides habitats for amphibians and dragonflies. We have taken a range of measures to attract a diverse ecology, such as scattering stones and installing nest boxes and insect hotels. The nesting boxes are already being used by breeding birds and the first residents have moved into the insect hotels. These insects houses offer a suitable habitat to wild bees and other insects in particular.

Local flora

Before the new HAHN+KOLB company headquarters were built, what is now company premises was untouched and overgrown wasteland. We protected some of the decades-old, tall trees throughout the construction phase in 2011 and 2012, to preserve this old character on the new company premises as far as possible. As well as these old lime and maple trees, we planted other species on the site. Young alders and willows grow and flourish today, alongside apple trees in our orchard. When we selected the trees and shrubs, we were careful to use only native plants.

Habitat for flora and fauna

The 48,000 square metre HAHN+KOLB premises in Ludwigsburg, also known as Waldäcker, not only boasts state-of-the-art new buildings, but also expansive green spaces. We use these green spaces to work in harmony with nature while respecting the ecological balance. In this way, we are renaturalising the open spaces of our company premises by recreating a near-natural habitat and establishing the local flora and fauna.

Resource-saving energy supply and state-of-the-art building technology

When we constructed our new company building, we paid particular attention to creating a modern, sustainable design, which enables a resource-saving energy supply. As a result, our energy concept covers more than 70 percent of our energy needs. The photovoltaic elements on the south side of our company headquarters ensure sustainable electricity production of over 88,000 kilowatt hours a year. CO2-neutral energy production means we contribute to energy generation that is both long-term and sustainable.

The 90-metre-deep geothermal wells also support innovative heating and air conditioning technology. By using geothermal energy from the geothermal wells, we can cover over 75 percent of our annual heating energy requirements and cool our building during the warm months. This concrete core temperature control ensures a natural and pleasant indoor climate year-round and requires almost no energy, because the water in the circulating pipes is cooled down underground.

The roofs of our headquarters also contribute to an ecological balance because they have been planted with native plants. The greenery systems on the roofs cover over 1400 square metres and play an important part in a modern waste management system. The uncontaminated roof and surface water is collected in our retention basins sealed with clay and mineral rock. This means that excess water seeps slowly into the ground, especially during heavy rainfall, helping to avoid flooding.

Social commitment

Commitment to our society is important for us as a traditional company and is an integral part of our corporate culture. That is why we actively embody our company values and share them with others. In addition, we are actively involved in the social and societal issues. Assuming social responsibility and educating the younger generation is particularly important to us. For this reason, we collaborate with universities, workshops for the disabled and we support national and international projects with targeted donations. We are proud that we are not only committed as the company HAHN+KOLB, but also that our employees back this one hundred percent and support the various charitable actions with their contributions.

We supported the Burkina Faso e.V. group of sponsors with donations in kind.
We work hand-in-hand with people with disabilities and employ them in our company.
We donated tools to support a training workshop at a refugee centre in Stuttgart.
We make regular donations in-kind and of cash to support the HELFERHERZ campaign by the Ludwigsburg district newspaper.
We supported the Windhoek Waldorf school with the proceeds from a charity golf tournament.
We are supported the Karlshöhe centre for people with disabilities and the animal shelter in Ludwigsburg with cash donations from our Christmas party.
We are supporting the Ludwigsburger Tafel e.V. with cash donations.
Employees have taken part in a DKMS fundraising campaign.
We have supported the "HAPPY BOX" welcome campaign for refugees with donations in-kind from employees.