Before the end of this year, Körber will commission a cutting-edge photovoltaic system to produce solar power in Virginia. With an area of 6,700 square meters and an output of around 1,100 kWp (kilowatt peak)¹, the in-house power plant on the roof is large enough to cover up to three-quarters of the plant’s electricity needs with sustainably produced emission-free energy. “In the future, we can avoid an estimated 1,100 tons of CO₂ per year because we will purchase less conventionally generated energy,” says project manager Timothy Williams. The CO₂ reduction that is forecast¹ takes into account the regional energy mix at the location, which has a high proportion of electricity from fossil sources. Even if concrete results are still pending, the project will make a significant contribution to climate protection and is an important step toward the Group’s declared goal of operating climate-neutrally by 2025.

In economic terms as well, there is much to be said for sunshine as an accessible and almost inexhaustible source of energy. “Electricity is a major cost factor at many of our production sites,” explains Peter Bär, who is responsible for the global procurement of capital goods at the Körber Group in Hamburg. “Electrical energy that is generated in-house from sunlight enables us to significantly reduce our electricity bill and become less dependent on rising energy prices.” In addition to reduced electricity costs, tax breaks and public subsidies help to ensure that investments in climate protection pay off financially.

¹ Calculation by the photovoltaic service provider

The climate balance can be improved with photovoltaics not only in sun-kissed Richmond but also in Europe. One example of that can be found in Allschwil, Switzerland, where the Körber Business Area Pharma operates a packaging plant that requires a lot of electricity. Since the end of 2021, the plant’s roof-mounted power system has been generating sustainable energy for the plant’s own use. “The site directly consumes around 86% of the solar power that is produced. That’s a fifth of the local power requirement. The remaining 14% is fed into the local grid,” says Peter Bär. Compared to the use of conventionally generated energy, this saves around 330,000 kg of CO₂ per year¹.

Given the positive effects, Körber will equip further locations with photovoltaics in the upcoming years. A project team made up of internal and external experts and coordinated by Peter Bär has identified suitable PV locations at Körber worldwide. In addition to a high energy requirement and sufficient sunshine, structural conditions and the local energy mix played a role in the selection. “The question of when electricity is needed was also important, because we want to produce as much as possible for our own needs,” explains Bär. A further nine systems are to be planned and installed over the next two years, including Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. Together, they will have the potential to produce more than 7,000 MWh of solar power annually (calculation by the photovoltaic service provider) — enough to cover around a third of the electricity requirements of the nine plants. Sunny prospects for the climate!

¹ Calculation by the photovoltaic service provider

For us, sustainability begins not with the selection of the means of transportation — but with the question of whether a trip is necessary at all. “In 2021 we started to redefine the word ‘unavoidable’,” says Dennis Schäfer, the Travel & Fleet Manager at Körber in Hamburg, who is also responsible for the new climate-conscious travel guidelines, which went into effect in 2022. These guidelines require employees to check alternatives before booking a trip. Would a virtual meeting suffice? Can the itinerary or the schedule be optimized? “We assume that a significant part of the travel activity can be avoided by means of appropriate planning,” explains Schäfer. Compared to 2019, the travel budget has been reduced by a third.

If an on-site appointment is indispensable, employees should make the trip to their destination as climate-friendly as possible. Here’s an example: If the journey can be managed within five hours by train, the new travel policy rules out flying as a means of transport. Further measures, including contracts with carbon-neutral hotels and a digital booking tool that takes climate aspects into account, are being planned.

In parallel, Körber is gradually electrifying its company fleet. By the end of 2022, around ten percent of all company cars will be running on electricity, and by 2025 that figure should be 100 percent.“The growing array of brands and models as well as more and more positive examples within the company are increasingly making colleagues want to switch,” says Dennis Schäfer.

Michael Greth and Stephan Plewa are among the electric mobility pioneers at Körber in Germany. In 2021 both of them received their first company cars with a rechargeable battery instead of a fuel tank — and they are completely satisfied. According to Stephan Plewa, Executive Vice President of Strategic Sales & Key Accounts at Körber's Business Area Pharma in Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock, concerns about insufficient range or complicated charging processes are unfounded. Plewa, a self-professed e-mobility fan, drives an Audi e-Tron for work. In his private life as well, he is completely done with combustion engines (see the interview).

Michael Greth, Senior Vice President of Accounting and Tax at Körber Supply Chain in Leingarten, takes a similar view. “I was a bit nervous at first, but a range of around 300 km is perfectly sufficient for me,” he says.

Michael Greth’s long commute of more than 80 kilometers was the reason why he switched to an all-electric model as early as possible. For one thing, he saves money every month through the tax break for privately used electric company cars. Most importantly, however, he’s improving his own carbon footprint. “Electric mobility is an important way I can personally help to protect the climate,” he says. “I would make the same decision again at any time.”