Industry spotlight: Kongamek
For Kongamek, life is not a competition. However, some things are uncompromising. Sustainability is one such thing, and Kongamek has decided to do its best when it comes to sustainability. After a visit to Kongamek, one understands the company's sincerity regarding sustainability issues.
The company is surrounded by water and forests, and one can sense nature's breath right on the doorstep. We had a chat with Johanna Haglund, whose father founded Kongamek in 1987, and who, together with her brother Jonathan, runs the successful company. Kongamek wants to be at the forefront and drive sustainability work forward.
KONGAMEK WORKS WITH ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
"Sustainability work has come as a natural part of our development, and it has been with us in various forms for a long time. Over the years, it has had different priorities and focuses. Besides taking care of our environment and contributing to reducing our environmental footprint, sustainability, for us, is primarily about two things. People and the streamlining of our operations. Through, for example, the life cycle analysis that we have just completed, we have deepened knowledge of how we affect our surroundings. It has also given us a concrete action plan to be able to make wise decisions that take us in the right direction to continue to be at the forefront. Overall, we work with ecological, economic, and social sustainability, which means that we work to create a good environment for our employees, customers, and suppliers. And for the world at large."
Johanna explains that sustainability work has involved a total review of the company. The list is long, but it includes buying only climate-smart electricity produced with the help of solar, wind, water, and biofuels. Excess heat from the painting plant is reused in other parts of the factory, and district heating heats up other areas. More than 1,300 fluorescent tubes have been removed and replaced with LED lighting. Several charging stations have been installed, and more are on the way, and the company's service cars are hybrids. Nothing has been left to chance.
THE ZERO PRODUCT SERIES IS MADE FOR THE CONSCIOUS CUSTOMER, AND NOTHING IS LEFT TO CHANCE
With Europe's widest range of material handling products, Kongamek wanted to create a product that makes an impression, not a footprint. The Zero series is created for the conscious customer and saw the light of day just over a year ago. Everything has been thought of. Just look at the product description: 25 percent of the steel is recycled, 100 percent recycled powder coating from Kongamek's own facility, the wheels are made in Sweden (by us at Swede-Wheel), the hub is made of 100 percent recycled plastic, and the conveyor belt is made of bio-produced rubber.
Kongamek has also thought about how the Zero cart is packed. The packaging for the cart is permeated in all articles such as corrugated cushioning, bags, and waste paper, and these are made of recycled materials. The accompanying assembly instructions are made of 100 percent recycled paper, just like the packing slip. The Zero cart is completely recyclable and manufactured at Kongamek.
SUPPLIERS MUST SHOW THEIR COLORS
"Since sustainability is fundamental to us at Kongamek, suppliers need to comply with a code of conduct. It is based on the UN Global Compact's ten principles in the areas of human rights, labor rights, the environment, and the fight against corruption. In this way, we ensure the entire value chain that enables us to stand behind...".