Sustainability & Responsibility
The performance and quality of our pliers win over customers worldwide. We want to build on our success, but not at any cost. We are guided by our values and the goal of environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable development.
Sustainable and responsible business practices align with our values and core beliefs. We have embedded sustainability in our mission statement and set corresponding goals, which we are working toward systematically and consistently.
Ralf Putsch, Managing Partner
Through the “Remaining Cents” system, employees donate the cent amounts from their salaries, which collectively generate significant donations for initiatives in Wuppertal.
Our goal: greenhouse gas neutrality by 2045 at the latest. Since 2020, we have effectively implemented key measures and are currently identifying new approaches.
KNIPEX has once again been honored with the German Sustainability Award and, for the third consecutive year, received the highest possible rating from the rating agency ecovadis for its sustainable practices.
Acting responsibly has always been part of KNIPEX’s DNA. We are part of society and embedded
in the natural environment. And only if we, as a company, treat people and nature well will we have
a bright future. To this end, we aim to make effective and measurable contributions.
Environment
As a company, we depend on conditions and resources for which we share responsibility for their quality and preservation. To live up to this commitment, we have set clear goals that we aim to achieve through systematically implemented measures.
Since 2020, we have reduced our reported greenhouse gas emissions by over 50%, in part through the use of electricity from renewable sources, green gas, and steel produced via low-emission manufacturing processes. Since 2016, we have been supporting an external climate protection project. We have already achieved our 2030 target and are now identifying new measures.
For some of our pliers, we report the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF). This is a value calculated based on our Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF) using the cradle-to-gate approach. This approach considers the life cycle of our pliers from raw material extraction to the point where the pliers leave our factory gates en route to the customer.
We achieve a significant reduction in our reported GHG emissions by completely switching
our plier steel production from the primary route to the secondary route.
A widely established energy patent system ensures the systematic implementation of
measures such as heat recovery, plant modernization, intelligent lighting technology,
and smart plant control. Since 2011, we have been generating our own solar power
and are continuously expanding this capacity. We have converted our first
large-scale generators to run on hydrogen for future use.
Through targeted measures, we reduce material consumption, increase efficiency, and minimize waste.
We review and evaluate material cycles throughout the resource chain. Residual materials such as steel,
paper, wood, and construction debris are fully recycled.
A livable future requires intact ecosystems. That’s why we’re deliberately designing our more than 8-hectare
company grounds to be close to nature, in order to preserve habitats and promote biodiversity.
Bee colonies, wild ducks, and bats find a home on our grounds. Future-oriented trees, perennial plantings, and flower meadows increase plant diversity, and sheep graze our orchard meadow.
Green roofs, gravel lawns, bird-protection hedges, nesting aids, flower strips, wildflower meadows, deadwood, a duck pond, and break gardens all form valuable habitats on our grounds.
Tree-planting campaigns, summer break activities, biodiversity walks, and our annual Sustainability Day invite you to get involved. Information boards explain our initiatives.
Over 15% of our workforce takes advantage of our bike leasing program.
Two large break gardens and a snack garden offer opportunities for socializing and relaxation in green spaces.
We power our 13 electric vehicle charging stations with solar power we generate ourselves. Employees can charge their personal all-electric cars here free of charge.
Employees
We create and maintain good, safe jobs for our employees. Our goals include ongoing training and professional development, a good work-life balance, and maintaining or improving health in the workplace. We believe these are the right levers for building a strong team.
Through numerous measures and programs, we promote the physical and mental health of our employees—both through preventive care and high-quality healthcare services. As a pioneer in its industry, KNIPEX has entered into a multi-year partnership with the University of Wuppertal to provide comprehensive and individually tailored health promotion.
Balancing work and family is important to us. We create favorable conditions for this, for example, through our in-house daycare center “KNIPSKISTE” or with flexible work schedules.
Freshly prepared meals and vegetarian options ensure a healthy diet.
Sports and fitness activities such as running groups, back training, or “Stadtradeln” (city cycling).
Appointments with the company physician and physical therapy in our own examination rooms.
Society
We feel connected to our region and the people who live here. We aim to promote equal opportunities and make an active contribution to the common good. Our focus is on education, culture, and social issues. As a globally active company, we have deliberately expanded our commitment internationally.
The Wuppertal Junior University is a privately funded university for children and youth. Here, young people can creatively explore a wide variety of topics outside of school. KNIPEX has supported the project since its inception—financially, through collaboration, and on the advisory board.
The “Chance 8” initiative at the Alte Feuerwache in Wuppertal offers children a safe space to try new things and develop their potential. KNIPEX supports the project, thereby contributing to better future opportunities.
Together with associations, initiatives, and local partners, we support international projects aimed at establishing educational structures. Through a sponsorship program, KNIPEX employees can cover a child’s educational costs for one year. Currently, 48 children are being supported in this way.
Sponsorship of 18 high-achieving and dedicated students.
Support for 16 projects in the independent cultural scene for emerging talent.
Two decimal places make a difference.
Economy
We strive for long-term economic success, but not at any cost. We are guided by values and the principle of economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable development. We maintain good, long-term relationships with our customers and suppliers. In our dealings with others, we act according to the principles of honorable businesspeople.
To ensure our long-term economic success, we continuously invest in the expansion of our facility, in modern production equipment and buildings, in our digital infrastructure, and in future-oriented technologies.
To foster strong relationships with our international customers, we are constantly expanding our global sales and logistics structures. For us, consulting and comprehensive support are just as much a part of this as reliability and fairness.
We strive for geographical proximity to suppliers and service providers. This is because short distances facilitate collaborative exchanges and reduce transport-related emissions.
We are working toward lower-emission shipping and support climate protection projects. We expect the same from our partners.
Digitalization, AI-powered software, and the use of cloud technologies simplify processes and increase efficiency.
KNIPEX collaborates with workshops for people with disabilities. As a result, 38 people with disabilities are employed full-time by us.
As a member of the UN Global Compact, we are committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and actively contribute to achieving these goals through our activities.