Schubert proves its deeply rooted commitment to climate protection

“We are aware of the responsibility that the Paris climate protection agreement entails. This is why we are driving forward not only the economic but also the sustainable development of the Schubert Group,” explains Ralf Schubert, Managing Partner of Gerhard Schubert GmbH. Vision 2050 is another key element of this endeavour: Schubert as an entire group of companies strives to act in a way that is fair to future generations and make a significant contribution to a more sustainable living and product world for everyone. Specific sustainability goals are being pursued in four fields of action: 1. Sustainable corporate governance, 2. Climate-neutral production, 3. Environmentally friendly machines and services, and 4. Sustainable packaging. Within these key areas, many large and small measures contribute to the ESG criteria of Environment, Social and Governance. The company is also committed to UNESCO’s global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Two employees are sitting at their desks and working on their computers. In the background is a glass front through which another building is visible.

The new building project brings design and assembly even closer together, as shown by the direct view into the hall.

Increased activities in research and development

To implement Mission Blue in fields of action 3 and 4, Schubert is significantly increasing its research and development activities in the area of sustainability. The product carbon footprint of packaging machines and the recyclability of packaging are becoming increasingly important for consumer goods manufacturers. As one of its main activities in this area, the packaging machine manufacturer has therefore analysed the energy consumption of its systems and identified the biggest energy consumers in the packaging process – namely drives, vacuum generation, compressed air, heating and cooling. Based on these results, the company is working tirelessly on energy-saving solutions in the relevant areas. For example, with Schubert Motion: The AI-supported software optimises the path movements of the robots and can therefore save up to 20 per cent energy.

Environmentally friendly packaging solutions from Schubert

With innovative technologies such as Dotlock, Schubert aims to offer its customers more environmentally friendly packaging solutions.

New packaging solutions with Packaging Perspectives

The experts at Schubert Packaging Perspectives are focusing on the considerable sustainability potential of the interaction between packaging and machine. This begins with carton packaging without glue, as no energy is required to heat the glue in the machine and the packaging itself contains no superfluous additives and is even easier to recycle. One of the most notable technologies that Schubert has developed with this approach is Dotlock: The process enables cardboard packaging without glue by taking inspiration from clinching technology used for joining metals. With the help of the characteristic perforations, for example, boxes or trays of virtually any type can be designed that are completely recyclable. Flow-wrap films can also be made more environmentally friendly by using mono-materials that are also entirely recyclable. With the Schubert Comfort Package, the packaging machine manufacturer has compiled a catalogue of machine-compatible films for specific applications and advises its customers on the selection of the optimum material.

Sustainable packaging for cardboard packaging

Cardboard packaging with Dotlock requires no glue and thereby also reduces the packaging machine’s energy consumption.

Sustainable packaging solutions

More than 20 projects have already been carried out together with Schubert customers, all of which are making a significant contribution to more environmentally friendly packaging solutions – including the use of cardboard instead of plastic, material savings, waste avoidance and space-optimised transport packaging. The earlier the dialogue between machine manufacturer, packaging manufacturer and customer takes place, the better the result. Managing Director Marcel Kiessling points out: “Partnerships are essential for us in such projects in order to drive innovation forward together and support customers on their journey towards a sustainable future.” This can be seen, for example, in the collaboration between Schubert-Pharma and Faller Packaging with the Seamless Packaging Service packaging solution for carton packaging of pharmaceutical products.

New office building in yellow and grey with modern architecture

The new office building is designed to meet the highest current energy standards and combines climate protection with attractive working environments.

A focus on climate and people

“Our highly skilled employees are just as important to our success,” highlights the Managing Director, adding: “As a family business, we are very much an employer who prioritises people and is firmly rooted in the region. This is reflected in the goals of the first two key areas, sustainable corporate governance and climate-neutral production.” Schubert aims to be one of the best employers in Germany and to operate its sites in a climate-neutral manner in accordance with Scope 1 and 2 GHG (Greenhouse Gas Protocol) for a healthy environment.

View of the new, light-flooded assembly hall.

The new, light-flooded assembly hall is also heated and cooled in a climate-neutral manner.

New buildings at the company’s headquarters

The new buildings at the company’s headquarters in Crailsheim represent a highly visible milestone towards achieving both goals. The new assembly hall and the new office building comply with the highest KfW40 Plus energy standard and are heated and cooled climate-neutrally with the help of an ice storage system, heat pumps and photovoltaics. As an important component of an overall building concept, the largest single investment in the company’s history makes a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. A second photovoltaic system on the roof of an existing hall is also part of the concept and is already supplying green electricity. Gerald Schubert, Shareholder of the Schubert Group and building owner, quotes the figures: “The two systems have a combined peak output of 1,089 kilowatts. This covers 25 per cent of our own electricity requirements.” Schubert is also relying on extensive continuous energy monitoring with 50 new measuring points and the gradual conversion of the vehicle fleet to electric vehicles.

Design of the Schubert company daycare centre KinderCampus

Family-friendly workplaces are a priority for Schubert, which is why the Schubert KinderCampus company daycare centre, which is currently being renovated, will open in 2025.

New Work

Climate-neutral operation is only one of the advantages of the new buildings. Its interior also houses a state-of-the-art workplace concept: The attractive interior design and flexible rooms and spaces offer employees a wide range of options, to encourage either concentrated individual work or close project teamwork and dialogue, all the way through to large meetings or after-work events on the roof terrace. However, today’s new working world also includes other factors, such as family-friendly working hours and good childcare facilities. This is another reason why Schubert will be opening its own company daycare centre in Crailsheim, the Schubert KinderCampus, in 2025. The existing building on the grounds of the Gerhard Schubert Campus is currently being converted for the new daycare centre and will then offer 60 spots for Schubert families and other children from the region under the management of littlebigFuture.

Modern, family-friendly work concepts

To further improve the company’s employee-friendly approach, Gerhard Schubert GmbH is taking part in the Great Place to Work consulting institute’s programme and has launched a regular employee survey in 2023. Highlights of the results: Just under 70 per cent of those surveyed are completely satisfied with their workplace. “A good number, but one that we would like to increase,” adds Managing Director Peter Gabriel. This is why managers are now also being given more support and their skills strengthened, including by means of mandatory guidelines, regular dialogue and coaching. Other activities relate to the introduction of compliance regulations and the expansion of preventative health measures for the workforce.

The measures and results for 2023 were presented to the public for the first time at the Schubert Days event at the headquarters in Crailsheim at the beginning of June. With the launch of the new series of events for customers and the press, Schubert is opening up an industry platform for extensive dialogue on current global challenges. The ANNUAL with an appendix based on the new EU ESRS standard can be ordered via the Schubert website.

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Schubert Group

First achievements of the Mission Blue Sustainability Initiative

Schubert proves its deeply rooted commitment to climate protection

Increased activities in research and development