SOBY has worked intensively with the development of a more sustainable business model, which comes all the way around the company. As support for the project, the SME:Green business program has made external consultants available, who have looked at all potentials from business partners to production processes. Consultant Niels Lund from Four Squares ApS, who together with Anders Christian Haahr from Milestone Pro ApS has been associated with the project, talks about the task and how SOBY works to introduce the sustainable measures.
Circular economy will ensure more sustainability in the entire business model
” We are working together with SOBY to integrate sustainability into their strategy and get their partners to think correspondingly. It is a big challenge, but SOBY has shown that it is possible to develop a greener business model within a traditional industry such as agricultural machinery", says Niels Lund.
Mette Frantsen explains that the SME:Green program has been an important support for SOBY in the process of introducing a more sustainable way of thinking. ” With external consultants as support, we have been challenged in the right way and have ensured a coherent process. We work with sustainability in three bottom lines, "profit, social and planet" - and have learned that a circular economy, where everything is of value, is an important part of promoting sustainability on all three points. Our focus on sustainability is a transformation from being good at making products to integrating our customers' business right down to the production level. It is a big challenge that requires changes for the employees and a transition from an analogue to a digital way of thinking", she explains.
Sustainability into the mindset from supplier cooperation to production processes
First of all, the strategy work has focused on how SOBY can reduce its climate footprint by integrating sustainability into the entire business. Mette Frantsen explains that SØBY, with the help from the consultants, has outlined the company's climate footprint and identified areas where concrete steps can be taken towards a more sustainable production.
” We have focused on purchasing materials, reducing energy consumption and waste volumes, and optimizing production processes. We have also looked at the actual cooperation with suppliers to make purchasing greener. Finally, we have worked to reduce waste in production by investing in new technology and machines that can help optimize material utilization," she says.
How far has SOBY come in implementing the sustainable measures?
According to Niels Lund, SOBY has already initiated several things, including reducing electricity consumption, controlling lighting, and considering the replacement of oil boilers. They also focus on buying materials from greener suppliers and recycling materials in their products. SOBY is also in the process of reducing waste volumes through investment in new technology and machinery.
” We have intentions to integrate sustainability as a natural part of the SOBY business model, and the results will come gradually. We are already seeing that energy consumption and waste volumes are being reduced, and we are continuing to work with SOBY to ensure that sustainability is a natural part of their business", he concludes.