Case study: How Wincor Nixdorf promotes eco-friendly logistics
As one of the world’s leading providers of IT solutions and services for retail banks and retailers in approximately 130 countries around the globe, Wincor Nixdorf adopts a holistic approach to environmental protection. Tweet This! Accordingly, for Wincor Nixdorf sustainable business activity does not end with production but also includes shipping arrangements that are both cost-effective and environmentally sound.
This case study is based on the 2015/2016 Sustainability Report by Wincor Nixdorf published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.
Abstract
Abstract
As an international company with production facilities around the globe, significant resources can be saved for Wincor Nixdorf at the transportation stage through production sites in close proximity to customers, efficient logistics, the right packaging and choosing the most appropriate means of transport. In order to promote eco-friendly logistics Wincor Nixdorf took action to:
- apply the “local for local” principle
- use eco-friendly product packaging
- choose environmentally-friendly transportation
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With this case study you will see:
- Which are the most important impacts (material issues) Wincor Nixdorf has identified;
- How Wincor Nixdorf proceeded with stakeholder engagement, and
- What actions were taken by Wincor Nixdorf to promote eco-friendly logistics
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What are the material issues the company has identified?
In its 2015/2016 Sustainability Report Wincor Nixdorf identified a range of material issues, such as economic performance, compliance, human rights, training and education, product responsibility, occupational health and safety. Among these, promoting eco-friendly logistics stands out as a key material issue for Wincor Nixdorf.
Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:
Stakeholders must be consulted in the process s of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.
Key stakeholder groups Wincor Nixdorf engages with:
| Stakeholder Group |
| General public |
| Analysts |
| Investors |
| Customers |
| Suppliers |
| Local community |
| Employees |
| Partners |
| Competitors |
How stakeholder engagement was made to identify material issues
To identify and prioritise material topics Wincor Nixdorf engaged with stakeholders through regular dialogues, workshops and conferences.
What actions were taken by Wincor Nixdorf to promote eco-friendly logistics?
In its 2015/2016 Sustainability Report Wincor Nixdorf reports that it took the following actions for promoting eco-friendly logistics:
- Applying the “local for local” principle
- “Local for local” is the principle of producing customer goods locally, wherever possible. For example, Wincor Nixdorf already produces approximately 95 per cent of the products delivered to Asian customers in Asia itself. Accordingly, transport routes can be optimised, time and cost savings can be achieved to the benefit of customers, and environmental impacts are kept to a minimum.
- Using eco-friendly product packaging
- For all its product packaging requirements, Wincor Nixdorf uses recyclable, single-material packaging, such as cardboard made from recycled paper or reconstituted wood pulp. On request, Wincor Nixdorf also takes back product packaging from its customers. For land shipments, Wincor Nixdorf almost always chooses packaging that consists of cardboard with a high proportion of recycled paper, as well as recyclable PE film (polyethylene). Along with these materials, Wincor Nixdorf primarily uses packaging made of environmentally sound wooden materials for sea and air freight.
- Choosing environmentally-friendly transportation
- Wincor Nixdorf seeks to always use safe and environmentally-friendly modes of transport. Accordingly, it only uses reputable German freight forwarders with modern vehicle fleets for transportation within Europe. In the case of intercontinental consignments, Wincor Nixdorf prefers eco-friendly sea transportation instead of air freight services. Thus, currently, over 95 per cent of all consignments are handled by sea transportation. In addition, Wincor Nixdorf tries to make the best possible use of loading units and takes great care to ensure that all loading space is used to optimum effect when products are placed in shipping containers.
Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?
The GRI Standard addressed in this case is:
Disclosure 302-2 Energy consumption outside of the organization
Disclosure 302-2 Energy consumption outside of the organization corresponds to:
- Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
- Business theme: Energy efficiency, Renewable energy
- Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
- Business theme: Energy efficiency
- Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
- Business theme: Energy efficiency, Transport
- Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
- Business theme: Energy efficiency
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References:
1) This case study is based on published information by Wincor Nixdorf, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:
http://database.globalreporting.org/
2) http://www.fbrh.co.uk/en/global-reporting-initiative-gri-g4-guidelines-download-page
3) https://g4.globalreporting.org/Pages/default.aspx
4) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/
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