PALFINGER has been committed to sustainability since 15 years already. As a responsible employer, we produce sustainable products in an eco-efficient manner and we stand for fair business activities. In a four-part series, we want to introduce the four sustainability fields and how we at PALFINGER live up to them on a daily basis.
Interview in the sustainability field: FAIR BUSINESS
Economic efficiency is reflected in the goal of earning a profit as well as growing in a sustainably profitable manner. Topics such as the Code of Conduct, corruption prevention, fair taxation and digitalization are in the focus. Patrick Schornböck, PALFINGER 21st Innovation Strategy Analyst, will now answer some questions on the “Fair business” sustainability field.
1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself!
My name is Patrick, I am 25 years old and live in Vienna. My professional and university background is in mechanical engineering as well as in innovation management. When I heard in 2017 that PALFINGER was moving to the Vienna Startup Hub WeXelerate, I felt like I was destined to take on the challenge of supporting the emerging PALFINGER 21st team.
2. What is your daily work routine like?
As an Innovation Strategy Analyst, my job is to think outside the box in order to identify trends and technologies that could impact our business in the near or distant future. To generate this information, I work with trend databases, visit relevant trade shows and exchange with experts and exciting technology companies. This information then serves as a basis for decision-making in order to define innovation fields relevant to PALFINGER.
3. What does sustainability mean to you? And how far has your area come in this respect over the last few years?
The work of the PALFINGER 21st team means the chance to significantly contribute to the sustainability of our offer through creative approaches and the use of new technologies. Beyond emission-free drives, digital solutions can help customers make more efficient use of their PALFINGER equipment – for example through intelligent route and deployment planning. Thus, with digital business models, we can succeed with not producing a resource-intensive product for every euro of revenue, but with achieving emission-free revenues through an innovation service offering. In addition to manufacturing and sales, we can also – in terms of sustainability and customer needs – optimize the product use or extend the product life through predictive maintenance.
4. And what’s the outlook for the future? Where do you want to go?
Advancing technologies will fundamentally change the way we store, transport and use energy. The PALFINGER devices of the future will be significantly more efficient and less polluting in their use and consume fewer resources in production. In addition, digital solutions are gaining in importance, so that more tasks can be done in our target markets with fewer physical devices. In order to grow sustainably as a company, PALFINGER will increasingly not only sell products in the future, but also offer holistic solutions – and thus relieving value added due to emissions and resource consumption.
Other interviews
Responsible employer
Employees are a material factor of PALFINGER’s success. PALFINGER’s ultimate goal is to be an attractive employer. Therefore, their motivation, qualifications and, first and foremost, their health and safety are given high priority. Nikolinka Koleva, the person responsible for people development in Bulgaria, will answer some questions on the “responsible employer” sustainability field.
Eco-Efficiency in Production
Energy efficiency and climate protection are relevant over the entire production process at PALFINGER. We are aware of our ecological responsibility and in our own interests, we have set for ourselves the goal of economic and efficient resource management on a continuous basis. David Aschl, Environmental and Energy Officer of the Lengau Production Plant, will answer a few questions on the “Eco-efficiency in Production” sustainability area.
Sustainable products
Along with maximization of safety during product use, minimization of power consumption, costs, and emissions throughout the entire product life cycle is essential. Research, development, and innovations contribute to the sustainability of the PALFINGER business model. Michael Völker, Head of Product Management Loader Cranes EMEA, will now answer a few questions on the “Sustainable Products” sustainability area.
