By Grant Shepherd

Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances Group has been awarded the title of the most sustainable company in Germany, beating over 350 of Germany’s most prestigious companies.

The German Sustainability Award recognises companies which combine economic success with social responsibility and protection of the environment in an exemplary manner, and use their sustainable activities to generate further growth.

BSH was the ultimate winner, chosen from a short-listed group of three by a panel of judges, who reached a decision on BSH due to their strong commitment and approach towards sustainability.

A citation reads “their approach to promoting the concept of a society fit to face the future is a remarkable one.”

The competitors were put through a detailed selection procedure, which investigated the extent to which their sustainability factors played a role in their value creation chain. Strategy, purchasing, production and logistics, products and services, sales and support functions were all put under the microscope. The rating awarded focused on the structures and processes of the sustainability management.

BSH received confirmation that one of its major strengths was the continuous improvements of its products environmental attributes. Implementation of a Product Environmental Analysis scheme, the use of recyclable materials and their commitment to research into energy and water efficiency, were some of their notable qualities listed.

Chairman of the BSH board of management, Kurt-Ludwig Gutberlet, commented “with our energy-efficient home appliances we are securing our competitiveness, safeguarding our employees' jobs and making a crucial contribution to conserving resources and protecting the environment.”