"Since 1947, our success story has been about offering the best possible protection for people, machines and processes. Over the years, we have also become aware of the responsibility we bear as a company towards our environment. An aspect with which we want to continue this history." (Achim Bernstein)
Responsibility across generations
Today, BERNSTEIN AG employs around 600 people in 10 countries and, as an internationally active family business, is now managed by siblings Achim and Nicole Bernstein in the third generation. The product portfolio ranges from switches, sensors and enclosures, support systems and operating terminals to system solutions for operating and safeguarding entire machines and systems.
"As a family-run company, thinking across generations has always been particularly important to us. The world and its resources are not inexhaustible. This makes it all the more important to use them responsibly and sustainably, especially as a company. Reducing CO2 emissions and energy consumption is a high priority for us and is a good argument for new investments - this also applies, for example, to the careful use of gas," explains Achim Bernstein.
Thinking and acting sustainably
The main consumer of gas in the company is the curing oven of the coating plant at the Hille/Hartum production site. By rethinking and reorganising processes and work steps, the company succeeded in reducing gas consumption there by a full 15 percent last year. There are also plans to gradually switch the coating plant from gas to green electricity, as is already the case for all other requirements in the company. This is because BERNSTEIN obtains the electricity it needs from 100 per cent green electricity from hydropower - at least the part that is not already covered by the company's own photovoltaic system on the roof of the main site in Porta Westfalica. The production site in Hille/Hartum will also soon be equipped with such a solar system to generate energy.
In order to pave the way for the switch to a more environmentally friendly vehicle fleet, the company has installed the first wall boxes at the Porta Westfalica and Hille/Hartum sites. BERNSTEIN is gradually converting its fleet to more environmentally friendly vehicles - this also applies to the forklift fleet.
However, BERNSTEIN AG employees are also being encouraged to leave their cars at home more often and cycle to work instead. "With our e-bike leasing scheme, employees can lease up to two bikes with an electric drive at favourable conditions," says Nicole Bernstein. "An offer that is very popular within the company."
