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Sustainability Overview 2021Manager CSI & Corporate Events
"We support many projects initiatives and associations in the region. More and more, Grolsch is committed to a sustainable living environment on various fronts."
Objective
Continued activation and communication of the Grolsch Craftmanship is Mastery Fund and the Pak An Foundation
Result
Three projects received a contribution from the Grolsch Craftsmanship is Mastery Fund: Sneaker Factory, SV Grol and Blindsight Mobility. The Pak An Foundation received 62 applications, of which 34 projects received support from Grolsch.
Objective
Continued activation and communication of involvement in regional social projects
Result
We financed five solar panels for the Voedselbank Enschede-Haaksbergen. Stichting Skik received a donation in the form of a batch of crown caps (proceeds from scrap metal).
Objective
Effecting a culture change, with health and mental well-being serving as drivers of performance and engageme
Result
We have implemented a flexible working policy to promote a better work-life balance. Home workstations have been installed with knowledge workers for good ergonomics.
Objective
Focus on sustainable employability, prevention of absenteeism and effective reintegration
Result
Continued focus on proper absence procedures and active reintegration. Preventive psychological support is offered where needed.
Objective
Promoting an inclusive and progressive culture: 50% of new hires in senior positions are women
Result
Achieved, of all G+ job assumptions, 50% were women.
Objective
Integrated approach for leadership development at all levels
Result
By 2021, about 50 managers will have been trained. This will be further rolled out in 2022, for other managers within Grolsch, DKD and France
Jaap Hulshof, Sponsoring & Corporate Events Manager - Royal Grolsch
“Sustainability, in the broadest sense of the word, is of paramount importance to Grolsch. The environment may be the first thing that springs to mind when you think about sustainability in business, but it also involves paying attention to people, society and your local surroundings. For Grolsch, the region is incredibly important. We have many loyal fans here, the vast majority of our employees live here, and we make sure that we have good relations with our neighbours. Our social involvement is not always equally visible to everyone, but it doesn’t have to be. Fortunately, more and more people are noticing that Grolsch has committed itself to a sustainable living environment in myriad ways. I’m proud of that and we’ll happily continue to do so in the future.”
Anoukh van Baggum, Work & Health Consultant - TIGRA Twente
“I’ve been involved with Grolsch as a consultant for many years now. I know the company as an organisation with True Character; the people there are committed, passionate and proud of the brand they work for. In today’s day and age, it is important for companies to develop more specific, detailed plans with regard to Sustainable Employability: How do I keep my employees healthy and happy until they retire? At Grolsch, I have seen various initiatives arise that share the goal of boosting and maintaining employees’ sustainable employability. Grolsch emphasises the entire ‘House of Work Ability’, which, as a consultant, I can only be extremely pleased with."
At Grolsch, in addition to producing, distributing and selling our great beers, we think it is important to pay attention to the world around us. That is why we have developed the volunteer programme 'Time for Each Other'. Under this programme, all Grolsch employees are allowed to volunteer for two working days a year (16 hours). You receive these two days from Grolsch, which means that you can do this during working hours and do not have to take days off work. A fantastic opportunity to get away from your daily routine and do something meaningful for someone else!
Throwing food away is such a waste! That is why each year we donate our leftover Christmas hampers to Voedselbank Enschede-Haaksbergen (local food aid organization). It is nice to be able to make a modest contribution in this way to the important work that the Voedselbank does: providing direct food aid to people who are temporarily unable to help themselves, and preventing food from being wasted.
Royal Grolsch has been associated with Landschap Overijssel as a 'company friend' for years now. Earlier this year, this companionship led to the idea of jointly planting a forest: The Futureproof Kornuit Forest. This forest contains various tree species that are able to cope well with the changing climate. By planting these trees we are compensating our CO2 emissions, and together with Landschap Overijssel we are drawing attention to the topics of biodiversity and the climate. A beautiful (green) example of what can happen when organizations join forces!
Grolsch feels responsible for offering its employees a safe workplace. This year, approximately 70 employees attended the annual Emergency Response (ER) Training, which consisted of a theoretical part and practical exercises. If necessary, our Emergency Response Team can take immediate action in the event of an emergency. Most Grolsch EROs work in a voluntary capacity. For Shift Team Leaders, Emergency Response is part of the job description, as is managing and guiding evacuations. In addition to this group of EROs, approximately 15 Grolsch and security employees have a First Aid certificate. If necessary, they can provide assistance in case of more serious injuries. This lets Grolsch ensure that there are always enough qualified people at hand who can provide first aid in a wide range of different situations.
Everyone knows that getting on a bike is good for you, and it’s hardly breaking news that it’s good for the environment, too. Yet, most employees still take the car to work. To stimulate commuting by bike, Grolsch partnered up with Twente Mobiel to get its employees interested in electric bicycles. Employees were given the chance to ride an electric bike for a week, which they could try for their commute. A total of 20 employees took this opportunity, with several of them also opting to purchase an electric bike after the trial ended.
The TruckRun is an annual event for people with intellectual disabilities, giving them the opportunity to ride along in a truck. Grolsch has been participating in the event for years, contributing 20 trucks along with our carriers Bolk Transport and Heisterkamp.
We have always been very involved in the region, and we’d like to keep it that way! We support various initiatives, associations and projects in the brewery’s direct surroundings. We also value our relationship with our neighbours, the residents of Usselo and Boekelo. We realise that our company has an impact on our surroundings, which is why we regularly inform locals about the latest developments. We let our neighbours know when we have scheduled maintenance, for instance, or when we expect odour nuisance. In 2019, the number of odour reports dropped by approximately 30% compared to the year before. We also meet with representatives from both villages twice a year. This is greatly appreciated and our relationship with local residents and stakeholders in Boekelo/Usselo is excellent. We always strive to be a good neighbour: after all, we couldn’t and wouldn’t ever do without the people around us!
In the Achterhoek, the Pak An Foundation helps many a dream come true, such as the MVVA Girls’ Football Academy. Not to mention the recently published book celebrating De Graafschap and 65 years of club history, the development of guitar pickups, the Stadsboerin garden, a book church in Bredevoort or the Meer Muziek in de Klas project, which aimed to reintroduce music education to primary schools. De Feestfabriek (which organises the Zwarte Cross event, among others) and Grolsch joined forces to found the Pak An Foundation to support great ideas for the Achterhoek with advice, coaching, promotion and funds. Together, we want to make sure that this beautiful region remains a great place to live for every young person out there, from 18 to 80.
In May 2019, seven regional projects received funding from the Grolsch Craftsmanship is Mastery Fund: The ATV Bakery, Werkraat, Studio Vol Talent, UAS Challenge, Buurt en Mobiliteit (BEMO), Stokerij Twentse Ketels and Straw Blocks Systems. A total of 55 initiatives applied for funding in 2019. To be eligible, all projects and initiatives must be based in Twente or the Achterhoek and meet certain criteria related to entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability and character. Ultimately, the funded projects turned out to be a great mix of social and economic initiatives, with Craftsmanship and Mastery playing a distinct and unique role in every case.
More info: GCMF press release, 23 May 2019