Sustainable into the new year

Due to international crises and conflicts, the growing global population, and increasing resource consumption, efficient and sustainable solutions are in greater demand than ever. The Viersen-based drive specialists at Groschopp AG Drives & More therefore place great emphasis on sustainable production and socially and economically responsible corporate conduct. An important milestone is the manufacturer's self-sufficient power supply through combined heat and power plants and new solar panels.

Groschopp drives are manufactured in a particularly sustainable manner, namely from 100% recyclable materials, and are also designed for maximum power density. In the in-house research department, prototypes are tested under controlled conditions and new ideas are developed to find a space-saving solution that is optimally tailored to the respective application in terms of speed and efficiency. Repairability of the drives is also a priority to ensure optimal use of resources. "Our slogan 'Sustainability through Quality' stands for innovative and reliable solutions with a long product lifespan and resource-efficient production," explains CEO Wolfgang Pflug. "This also pays off for our customers."

In-house electricity production and reduced consumption

Groschopp is currently driving forward its photovoltaics efforts. The company is currently equipping all of its building roofs – a total of 4,000 square meters – with solar panels. This generates approximately 700 kW per hour, which completely covers its own needs. Excess energy is fed into the public grid. Two combined heat and power plants are also in operation at the headquarters in Viersen. Another component is the purchase of electric company bicycles, which all employees can lease at attractive rates. A switch to hybrid and electric company vehicles is also planned.

Groschopp manufactures many drive components in-house, making the supply chain more transparent and eliminating potential weak points. Environmental indicators are regularly recorded and evaluated at the production sites in Europe and Asia. Groschopp's current sustainability report shows that in 2023, the company was able to reduce its non-recyclable waste by 42% and its recycled waste by almost 50% compared to the previous year. Looking back to 1990, electricity consumption fell from 2,055,205 kWh to 494,267 kWh, and CO2 emissions from 2,165 t to 586 t. A lot has also happened in terms of water consumption: Since 1990, the manufacturer's consumption fell from 10,580 m3 to 578 m3 in 2023.

Responsibility for the Environment and Employees

Grosschopp AG's sustainability strategy is characterized by its membership in the UN Global Compact and a comprehensive environmental and quality management system. The company is certified according to the internationally recognized ISO 14001 standard. However, quality and delivery reliability must also be guaranteed by all of the company's suppliers. In addition to economic and operational metrics, environmental and social aspects are also increasingly coming into focus here – supplier audits are being conducted worldwide for this purpose. "Fair working conditions, occupational health and safety, environmental protection, and the careful use of resources are important factors for long-term success worldwide," Pflug concludes. "Especially in challenging times, satisfied and committed employees and sustainable production are becoming increasingly important."