Hållbarhet

Sustainability commitments from our wholesaler.

ENERGY Our first focus area is energy. We strive to minimize
energy related emissions by reducing energy demand
and by transitioning to renewable energy sources. We
reduce our energy demand through optimization and
efficiency. Our current distribution centre is run in a
very efficient and energy saving manner. The
distribution centres and offices are fitted with LED
lights and sensors to automatically turn lights on and
off as needed. Our current building has been developed
according to the BREEAM ‘very good’ standard.
BREEAM is the world’s leading sustainability
assessment method and rating system for buildings.
We’re striving for the same goal for our second
building. We’re committed to expand the development
of our sustainable initiatives and take them to the next
level. Our aim is to transition to renewable energy
sources and reduce our carbon emissions even further.
Before the end of 2020 we plan to have utilised
200.000 m² of rooftop surface with solar panels. A total
of 70.000 solar panels will produce 19.125.000 kWh
green energy yearly. These solar panels not only reduce
our energy costs, they also significantly reduce our
carbon footprint. Furthermore, Energy Efficiency Audit
(EED) is applicable to our company. By proactively
collecting information on our energy consumption,
possibilities for future energy savings will be identified.
This will help us increase our energy efficiency even
more throughout our complete energy chain.

DEFORESTATION Deforestation is a significant environmental concern
while demand for timber products is rapidly increasing
in the developed world. We believe that businesses
should acknowledge their responsibility and implement
necessary measures to combat deforestation. To
achieve this goal, we strive to use as little resources as
possible to produce our products and source products
made of recycled wood. Another measure is strictly
following The European Union Deforestation-free
Regulation (EUDR), which aim to avoid that the listed
products Europeans buy, use and consume contribute
to deforestation and forest degradation in the EU and
globally and reduce carbon emissions caused by EU
consumption and production of the relevant
commodities by at least 32 million metric tonnes a
year. EUDR also address all deforestation driven by agricultural expansion to
produce the commodities in the scope of the regulation, as well as forest degradation.
Our suppliers are contractually obliged to disclose confidential
information about their wood sources to us. This forms
the basis of our risk assessment and supply chain audits.
Our purpose on the long run is that all wood used in our products
should be recycled or come from forests which are verified as
responsibly managed. We believe that doing business in a
responsible manner and actively encouraging EUDR schemes
in developing countries like Vietnam and India, will contribute to
positive change.

WASTE Reducing waste is crucial to minimize our
environmental footprint. We continuously strive to
reduce the amount of waste we produce. This not only
happens in our buildings by saving energy and water
through technology, but also through reusing and
recycling products. In addition, we’re looking for
opportunities to avoid the use of hazardous materials.
We strive to reduce waste by maximizing the use of
environmentally friendly waste processing methods
such as recycling. We have a so-called ‘spare parts
stock’. This stock consists of product parts returned by
customers. These parts are not damaged, or are
repaired if they are, which means they are ready for use
again. Whenever a customer needs a specific product
part, we always check if we have spare part in stock and
if that can be sent instead of a whole new product.
Furthermore, we strictly follow the disposal obligations
according to regulations on Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment (WEEE). To comply with these
regulations, we finance take-back systems, waste
treatment and recycling operations. We take
responsibility for collecting and processing waste
resulting from our products at the end of their life.
Besides that, in France we comply to eco-tax on new
furniture. The handling of household furniture has been
entrusted to Eco-mobilier. Based on the same model as
the contribution for WEEE, the tax is used to organize
the collection, recycling and recovery of household
furniture.

TRANSPORTATION 
Another focus area is product transportation. In order
to reduce our transport emission, we not only look at
our transport efficiency, but also at using more fuelefficient vehicles and alternative fuels. One of the most effective ways is to move more goods with less fuel
through smart packaging and fill rate optimization. We
make sure our packaging is 100 percent fitted, so that
we don’t send air to our customers. Our aim is to
always use the maximum space available and/or weight
allowed.
Our inbound logistics, which for 99 percent is being
executed via sea and rail routes, has a fill rate of 95
percent. Our outbound transportation is done via road
and has a fill rate of 95 percent, this in contrast to the
market average of 45 percent.
Our return transport has a fill rate of 60 percent. In
addition, we’re looking into alternatives to fossil fuels.
Our current trucks drive on AdBlue diesel, which is an
environmental solution to reduce harmful emissions. In
the future we’re considering switching to more
sustainable alternatives such as LNG and electrical
trucks.
Another factor that can contribute in reducing fuel use
and carbon emission is driver behaviour on the road.
We train our drivers on efficient driving techniques.
Also, over the past few years a substantial shift has
taken place from business travel to virtual meetings via
video, web and phone. Regular information sessions
and trainings are being held via virtual meetings.