#go_further

Even though the process of collecting, analysing and processing data has become somewhat routine for us after years of dealing with the issue of sustainability, we are still careful in how we approach this matter. As in previous years, we have carefully considered all sustainability  criteria in the preparation of this report, and we have added further relevant criteria to the approaches already known to us.

Value creation is the basis

Our value creation analysis forms the foundation of our conceptual work. When we start developing a new product, we think about the end of the life cycle and attach great importance to environmentally friendly recycling, ideally as part of a circular economy – a key task that we take very seriously. Information on how we use materials, integrate them into our business model and ultimately recycle them can be found on following sections of our website.

Keeping an eye on the essentials

Looking at the value creation cycle is one of the first important parts of sustainable action. The other aspects we take into account in our endeavours are set out in our materiality analysis. In order to give direction to our strategy, it is therefore essential for us to take into account our business model, including all its specialist focal points and trade channels. ASSMANN sells most of its furnishing solutions to specialist retail partners, public institutions and industrial customers, and occasionally private individuals. In turn, this defines our company's special interest groups. When preparing the materiality analysis, we define our stakeholders and remain in close dialogue with some of these reference groups, such as suppliers and retail partners, to make sure we understand as much as possible about all relevant issues from different perspectives. “One thing that’s different this reporting year is that this is the first time we’ve conducted the double materiality analysis in accordance with the CSRD. That means we’re looking at our impact on the environment and people, while also evaluating the risks and opportunities arising from our market environment and politics on our actions,” explains Sustainability Manager Dr Julia Koch.

From derivation to results

We use the results and assessments of the double materiality analysis to put ASSMANN's established foundations to the test. At the same time, we receive reliable results that serve as a guide for our future strategies in all our divisions and enable us to review how up to date our sustainability mission statement is. We are constantly adding missing factors and expanding on them, and discarding outdated criteria to make room for new ones. Our report provides a summary of our approach, our results and our sustainability mission statement. It will enable you to understand every facet of our sustainable actions and comprehend the underlying motives.

Sustainability goals can only be achieved by taking a holistic approach, which requires expertise from different areas. This includes not only the departments within our company, but also external stakeholders such as suppliers, specialist retailers, customers and network partners. Close cooperation and dialogue between all the parties involved, on an equal footing, create the best conditions for successful sustainable action.

The role of our sustainability ambassadors

The concept of sustainability must be strategically anchored in-house before it can be put into practice at all levels. Clear communication and incorporating our approach into everyday working life lead to more sustainable action across all areas. With our sustainability ambassadors, we are able to involve experts from companies that are close to us when implementing our sustainability strategy, alongside people from our own ranks. These are ASSMANN managers and specialists as well as selected external partners. With their sustainability awareness, they each dedicate themselves to a focus area that corresponds to their expertise and area of responsibility. For example, Karla Aßmann and Andreas Gohs handle business conduct, while Andreas Fipp and Konrad Merkt are responsible for climate issues. Jörg Koppe and Dieter Brübach deal with environmental protection, while Daniel Kahnwald and Michael Kamsties focus on materials. Maren Thiemann and Susann Mädler are responsible for people-related matters. They all embody a sense of responsibility with regard to ecological, economic and social issues in their day-to-day work, and help their colleagues to identify new potential for sustainability. Our ten sustainability ambassadors show how they contribute to improving sustainability, especially at ASSMANN, and how they achieve their goals and always #go_further.