At Fronius, sustainable action sits at the core of every decision

Sustainability at Fronius

Sustainability is a wide-ranging policy idea in worldwide public debate, usually framed around three "dimensions" or "pillars": environmental, economic and social. At its root, the word "sustainability" (a noun) and "to sustain" (a transitive verb) point to the capacity to keep going over a long stretch of time.

WHAT DOES "SUSTAINABILITY" MEAN IN BUSINESS?

Within business, sustainability means operating without harming the environment, the community or society at large. Corporate sustainability typically covers two broad areas:

• How business affects the environment
• How business affects society

A sustainable business strategy aims to create a positive impact in at least one of those areas. When companies don't take responsibility, the reverse can occur, giving rise to problems such as environmental damage, inequality and social injustice. Sustainable companies weigh a broad mix of environmental, economic and social factors when making decisions. They track the impact of their operations so that short-term gains don't become long-term liabilities.

WHY IS SUSTAINABILITY IMPORTANT?

Beyond driving social and environmental change, sustainability efforts can add to an organization's overall success. It may sound counterintuitive that spending more on sustainable practices can raise profitability, yet research indicates that the most sustainable companies are also the most profitable.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics are frequently used to gauge how ethical and sustainable an organization is. According to McKinsey, firms with strong ESG ratings consistently beat the market over both the medium and long term. Sustainability strategies may require investment up front, but they can deliver lasting benefits.

Sustainability raises our quality of life, safeguards our ecosystem and conserves natural resources for generations to come. In the corporate world, it is tied to a holistic approach that considers everything from manufacturing and logistics to customer service. Going green and sustainable benefits the company itself and also maximizes the long-term payoff of an environmental focus.

Who should own sustainability?

Opinions differ on the best way to advance sustainable development. Some argue the burden falls squarely on industry to reduce emissions and improve environmental conditions. Others hold that government is best placed to handle it, using rules and laws to shape how industry operates. Still others believe the weight belongs entirely with consumers, who should "vote with their dollar" to shift the status quo. As with many complex problems, it has to be tackled from every angle available. But how much should each angle contribute? Should industry or government carry most of the load by funding research and development?

If industry is expected to become more sustainable, should those costs pass down to consumers, making them implicit partners in the change? Or should individuals become eco-warriors and overhaul their own lifestyles? The reality is that all three are interlinked, like a tripod of environmental progress that collapses if any leg is removed. Industry needs either government funding or consumer revenue to move ahead, along with regulation. Governments need innovation from industry and a public willing to financially back those innovations, while consumers need more sustainable choices.

Yet even with this interconnection, one leg of the environmental tripod carries most of the responsibility for funding sustainability research and development. And if decision-makers don't allocate resources wisely, new technologies will struggle to reach the market. Social responsibility is one route to sustainability. Embracing core social responsibility principles such as accountability and transparency can help secure the long-term viability and success of any organization or system.

What responsibilities does an organization have for the impact of its decisions and activities on society and the environment, exercised through transparent and ethical conduct?

• Contributing to sustainable development, including public health and social welfare
• Taking stakeholder expectations into account
• Complying with applicable laws and staying consistent with international norms of behaviour
• Embedded across the organization and practised in its relationships

HOW FRONIUS PUTS SUSTAINABILITY INTO PRACTICE

Fronius creates a positive impact along its journey; throughout its history, nature has brought prosperity. The company has learned to respect nature and to use its resources in the best possible way. Fronius stands at the leading edge of sustainable manufacturing and is committed to building a business that is both environmentally and financially sustainable.

Digitalisation helps the company develop manufacturing efficiently. Precise, real-time information on resources, machines and products can be gathered for the benefit of both business and the environment, and done more efficiently than ever before. Carbon-effective technology and circular solutions represent the future of manufacturing. Fronius is committed to becoming more sustainable while raising productivity and security of supply at the same time.

The world faces overexploitation of resources, yet at Fronius the belief is that a more sustainable world doesn't only make someone a hero, it can also create a great deal of wealth, because as the saying goes, "Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It's about doing better." As a manufacturing company, Fronius is aware of the effects of its business activities, so it works to protect the planet's life support system by building social and environmental responsibility into the everyday running of its economic and political life. The emphasis is on -

• A clear path to environmental goals
• Developing sites sustainably
• Managing resources optimally
• Awareness-raising projects

Today's corporations increasingly adopt responsible behaviours while pursuing profit-making activities. They no longer tie success to financial profit alone, but always take a holistic view of their business activities. At Fronius, these are applied -

• Across all three business areas: Perfect Charging, Perfect Welding and Solar Energy.
• Within research and development
• Throughout the entire value creation chain.

SO WHY CHOOSE FRONIUS?

FRONIUS LEADS THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING THANKS TO

• HIGHLY SKILLED EXPERTS
• THE LATEST INNOVATIONS AND HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS
• SUSTAINABLE BY DESIGN
• A BELIEF IN WORLD-CHANGING IDEAS
• AND TURNING THEM INTO GLOBAL SUCCESS STORIES

"Sustainable action is at the heart of everything we do at Fronius. That has been true since the very start of the company's history. Today we are focusing more than ever on environmentally friendly solutions." Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß, CEO Fronius International

FRONIUS DELIVERS - NOW LET IT WORK FOR YOU

Plot no BG-71/2/B, Pimpri Industrial Area, MIDC- Bhosari, Pune- 411026

Phone: +91 (020) 6717 7400 [email protected]