Sustainability

SUSTAINABILITY AT WIKUS

We are aware of our responsibility to future generations as a family business and tool manufacturer.

WIKUS is guided in its business activities by the signed declaration of intent, the Charter of the Initiative for Responsible, Sustainable Business of the Hessian Business Initiative. We have defined our own areas of action in the field of sustainability for our corporate activities and derived corresponding measures. These areas of action are continuously reviewed and further developed.

Reducing CO2 emissions in the metal processing industry

As a member of the metal processing industry, WIKUS aims to minimize the environmental impact of its actions and protect the climate. Our certified energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001 has been helping us to continuously improve our processes and increase our energy efficiency at the Spangenberg site since 2013. In the future, we will be expanding these processes with measures according to ISO 14001.

Fighting off energy wasters: our energy saving measures

WIKUS produces in a resource-saving way and pursues the strategy of reducing energy consumption as far as possible. For this, a number of energy-efficient and energetic measures are implemented, for example:

  • Conversion of production technology from energy-intensive manufacturing processes to state-of-the-art production methods
  • Green electricity from photovoltaic (340,000 kWh / per year) from our roofs since 2010
  • Construction and commissioning of a local heating network in 2022 for a more efficient heating concept
  • Heat recovery from waste compressor heat to warm up our heating water
  • Establishment of a low pressure air network with 4 bar
  • Process cooling through nitrogen evaporation and use of stream water for the cooling system cooling system in the inline production
  • Redevelopment and new build of the Wi.com building according to the latest technology standards
     


Outlook

Our aim is to reduce the electricity consumption at the Spangenberg site by 20% by the year 2026 in relation to the production quantity.

  • Continual improvement of our energy infrastructure
  • Optimization and development of building control technology

Environmentally-friendly mobility

  • Bike leasing for commuting and private use since 2016
  • Electromobility and hybrid motors in the WIKUS fleet
  • Contribution towards business travel by rail
  • Appeal for car shares
  • Mobile working to reduce travel distances and times

Resource-saving working

  • Responsible use of materials in production
  • Use of more environmentally-friendly materials and operating media such as solvent-free, water-based lubricants and preservatives
  • Recycling of used tools for further use
  • Sustainable use of technology, e.g. retrofit of existing machines
  • Automation and digitalization of internal and external processes, e.g. Purchase to Pay

Waste reduction and promoting the circular economy

  • Waste prevention in all production steps and sustainable purchasing decisions
  • Waste separation systems in administration and production
  • Single-variety raw material collection for the recycling of metals and chips by the disposal company
  • Size-adjustable and recyclable product packaging
  • Minimization of plastic packaging, paperless office and reusable system in the WIKUS canteen

Bachmuschelfund 2024: A sign of very good water quality and a healthy eco-system
Bachmuschelfund 2024: A sign of very good water quality and a healthy eco-system

Water and sustainable product development

  • Saving drinking water and energy, e.g. by using stream water for cooling in production and taps with motion sensors
  • Prevention of waste water in production processes
  • Quality water protection officer to ensure compliance with compulsory regulations
  • Regular monitoring of the stream water and compliance with all regulatory requirements to maintain water quality
  • Provision of retention cisterns
  • Roof drainage to retain water for extinguishing
  • Water-permeable eco-paving on carparks

The WIKUS industry location: our campaigns for more local nature

  • Green roofs on the Wi.com building and bicycle shelters to improve the indoor and local climate and to promote biodiversity and species diversity
  • Planting and under-planting, e.g. the WIKUS family tree in front of the company headquarters
  • Planting campaign “TEILEN VERBINDET” (“SHARING UNITES”) - planting of 34 apple trees in Spangenberg, Germany.
  • WIforyou campaign “GO FOR A TREE” - 367 trees for Hessen forest

Continuity in the quality and efficiency of our sawing tools

The integral observation of sawing technology across the sawing process and beyond is important to us. We are therefore also developing digital solutions and sawing tools that meet our requirements for resource conservation, productivity and cost efficiency.

The aim is to satisfy the high quality demands of our customers whilst also maximizing the tool life of our sawing tools. Our production site in Spangenberg has been certified according to the ISO 9001 quality management system since 2024.

From the development of sawing tools through to disposal

We identify influencing factors for a sustainable product life cycle and derive corresponding measures, for example:

  • Analyses and cutting tests, e.g. for service life tests in our own sawing technology center and modern test laboratory
  • Possibility of professional disposal of worn band saw blades, ensuring resource-saving use of materials.

Pioneering spirit and progressive sawing processes

The research and development department at WIKUS is firmly anchored in its corporate strategy. Our technologists cooperate closely with universities and research institutes, national and international networks, customers and suppliers.

  • Minimization of material waste or discarded material for the customer, e.g. by using thin cut technology
  • Preference for the use of recycled materials (with the same properties as non-recycled materials) in the development of products and processes, e.g. recycled abrasives.
  • Compliance with high quality standards in the development phase of products and innovative technologies
  • Further development of sawing tools, services and process and product optimization
  • Provision of digital tools to boost efficiency in the complete sawing process, such as WIstockIT® and ParaMaster®

A focus on safe work

We pay special attention to safety when handling our sawing tools. To ensure safe handling and use in sawing, customer and product training is offered by our in-house academy WIkademy®.

Detailed information on safe unpacking and use of our sawing tools with corresponding protective clothing can also be found in the user manual and our video hints.

 


Our product separates, but tool manufacturing is what connects us worldwide.

An appreciative working environmental is particularly important to us. We make it our mission to convey a sense of unity to all employees at WIKUS. Each and every one of them is part of the corporate family that WIKUS sees itself as. Trust, personal responsibility and team spirit are at the heart of our corporate culture.

Insight into the WIKUS Health Day 2023

Employee health, occupational safety and integration management

You can tell that our employees feel comfortable at work because of the length of time they stay with the company. WIKUS puts the focus on individual needs and provides attractive offers involving health and exercise:

  • Company health and reintegration management
  • WIKUS health days

  • Training on health and safety risks as well as work processes

  • WIKUS campaigns for health in the workplace and sports groups, such as “WImove - employees move employees”

  • Barrier-free access to buildings and extensive ergonomic design of workstations in offices and production areas

  • Reduced costs for fitness wellness offers in the Life-Balance-Campus Spangenberg and free online health courses


Recognition and appreciation

It is important to us that we recognize the commitment of our employees through fair remuneration and comprehensive company benefits, e.g:

Monetary

Work

Christmas bonus, holiday pay, anniversary payments

Subsidized canteen, free tea and mineral water

Financial participation in company success

Attractive working environment and conditions

Contribution towards company pension scheme and sick payModern IT structures and equipment for the (home) office
Corporate benefitsPromotion of joint leisure activities, such as summer hikes, music and sports tournaments
 Summer party, Christmas party, after work party

Diversity and equal opportunities

Diversity and equal opportunity are important to WIKUS. We have created a working environment in which all employees have equal development opportunities regardless of gender, nationality, religion or ideology, disability, age or sexual orientation.


Collaborative work and participation

Our staff members are key to our commercial success. Our key is to motivate and inspire employees through committed managers who place their trust in them and therefore encourage them to act independently.

  • Involvement of the employee in ideas management
  • Employee survey and feedback meetings with managers
  • Transparent and open communication in all directions

Sustainable business practices for a future worth living

As a company with history stretching back more than 65 years, we always put the focus on people. With far-sighted and sustainable action, we secure the company's future as a ME2TA company that always strives for the most effective and efficient solutions, both technologically and administratively.

Wiforyou donation campaign: “A shoe box for happy children” for flood victims in the Ahr Valley
Wiforyou donation campaign: “A shoe box for happy children” for flood victims in the Ahr Valley

Social commitment

We are at home in Spangenberg. This is where the company's roots lie. As a family-owned company, we assume social responsibility and fund regional initiatives in the social, cultural and ecological fields.

  • Signatory of the Charter of the Initiative for Responsible, Sustainable Business
  • Support for social, cultural and sport facilities with the donation concept Wiforyou where employees can apply for funding for their own clubs and institutions
  • Local and regional commitment as a “good neighbor” and working towards a high quality of life at all of our sites worldwide
  • Christmas donation for a regional project

More sustainability in the supply chain and procurement

For us, responsible corporate governance relates to the entire value chain. It is something we work on within the supply chain as well. Our aim is sustainable procurement.

  • Supplier evaluation with regard to quality, quantity and compliance with environmentally relevant guidelines such as REACH, RoHS and conflict materials
  • Participation in further training on social and ecological optics in the supply chain
  • Agreements with suppliers on compliance with human rights and environmental regulations
  • Carefully selected transport providers (road, sea, air) with the aim of climate neutrality by 2040/2050
  • Cooperation with local suppliers, inclusive businesses and workshops for people with mental and physical disabilities, such as: Baunataler Diakonie Kassel e. V.Arbeitsring anerkannter Blindenwerkstätten-Schlich GmbH

A focus on people at WIKUS

For one another - with one another: these principles are of fundamental importance to us and also shape our entrepreneurial activities. We have developed guidelines that serve as a compass in our daily work:

  • Fairness, loyalty and honesty:
    We operate a fair and honest corporate policy, ruling out any form of corruption. We adhere to legislation, guidelines and other legal regulations.
  • Openness in communication:
    Our management is always approachable and easy to reach for all employees. We also communicate openly and honestly with customers, business partners and suppliers.
  • Team and process-orientated management and actions:
    All employees are integrated into the WIKUS corporate philosophy through further training and continuous qualification. In this way, we create an understanding of our objectives and values and achieve compliance and information security.

The WIKUS business family presents itself and its values.

WIKUS thinks in generation: management with vision

The WIKUS shareholders have defined the basic rules and corporate values for the professional organization of the company together with the WIKUS management. For this, corresponding guidelines are formulated to lead the company successfully and sustainably into the future. The WIKUS supervisory board helps you with compliance and implementation.

  • The integration of the shareholders in the work of the supervisory board is a central idea of the succession in the family business WIKUS.
  • The success of the company can be achieved by the shareholders, the supervisory board and the management team working together.

More sustainability in the global supply chain

Edo Vadis certification: WIKUS has once again been awarded the bronze label by the globally recognized CSR rating agency EcoVadis in 2023, once again proving itself to be a sustainable partner for customers and suppliers with an improved overall score out of almost 100,000 companies evaluated.

Read the press release

Family tree planted

The chestnut tree in front of the company headquarters symbolizes the cooperation between employees and represents our cooperative partnership with the customers, partners, and shareholders of WIKUS. The inauguration of the tree is a sustainable message of perspective and solidarity about the company as well as the future of WIKUS.

Read full story

WIforyou

As a family-run business from Spangenberg, WIKUS focuses in particular on supporting the region when it comes to voluntary work. The focus of WIforyou is on clubs and institutions where WIKUS employees are members.

Reading
More sustainability in the global supply chain
Family tree planted
WIforyou

Useful WIKUS knowledge: 4 facts to think about

Our company headquarters in harmony with nature

Documents for sustainability at WIKUS

Obligations

Membership certificate of the Charter of the Business Initiative

Download (485 KB)

Membership certificate of the Spangenberg anti-racism charter

Download (813 KB)

Press Contact

Claudia Kaiser, Corporate Communication

 

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Other websites

WIKUS FRANCE S.A.S.
WIKUS SIERRAS CINTAS S. de R. L. De C.V
WIKUS Nordic AB
WIKUS AUSTRIA GmbH
WIKUS Saw Technology, Corp
WIKUS Canada Ltd.
WIKUS Saw Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd
WIKUS India Pvt. Ltd.