PALFINGER has been committed to sustainability since 2004. As a responsible employer, we produce sustainable products in an eco-efficient manner and we stand for fair business activity. In a four-part series, we now wish to introduce the four sustainability fields and how we at PALFINGER live up to them on a daily basis.
Interview in the sustainability field: RESPONSIBLE EMPLOYER
Employees are a material factor of PALFINGER’s success. PALFINGER’s ultimate goal is to be a attractive employer. Therefore, their motivation, qualifications and, first and foremost, their health and safety are given high priority. Nikolinka Koleva, person responsible for people development in Bulgaria , wants to answer some questions on the ” responsible employer “ sustainability field.
1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself!
I started working in the company in 2015. As a psychologist, I have always been interested in human beings – their diversity, the various social roles they perform, and the motivational factors that determine their behavior in performing these roles. Understanding the motivation is a key component in the overall process of hiring, retaining, and developing the right people for the company’s purposes. The globalization, the battle for talents, and the intensive development of the Palfinger – Tenevo the management of a massive investment program in People.
2. What is your daily work routine like?
I would call it “my daily work diversity”. In my position, together with the direct department managers, I deal with the development of people through learning. The main focus is on planning, organizing and conducting training by assessing the needs, preparing and following individual training plans, and evaluating their effectiveness after completion.
Through this process of continuous development, we invest only in finding but also in the right people on board.
3. What does sustainability mean to you, and how much has your area come to this respect over the last few years?
People are the driving force of change in our company and the best ambassadors of our culture in society. The targeted investments in their development safeguard the sustainable development of the company and make it a desirable employer in the region. Without hesitation Palfinger – Tenevo can be called a “Teaching employer”. In 2014, on the initiative of Mr. Andreas Strauch, Managing Director of Palfinger – Tenevo, Bulgaria launched the procedure for introducing the dual education form in Bulgaria. After the change in the relevant laws, we now have 52 students in different specialties who are being trained by working. The logical next step towards sustainable development, and the main focus of 2017, is the building of the Learning Center – the heart of PALFINGER’s VALUES in Tenevo.
4. And what’s the outlook for the future? What is the right direction?
The future belongs to the generation Z – the students whom we are currently training. The challenge is to prepare for the introduction of this generation of talents, in order to increase its potential, to facilitate the intergenerational differences, and to create value in the workplace.
Other interviews
Eco-Efficiency in Production
Energy efficiency and climate protection are relevant to the entire production process at PALFINGER. We are aware of our environmental responsibility and our own interests, we have set ourselves the goal of economic and efficient resource management on a continuous basis. David Aschl, Environmental and Energy Officer of the Lengau Production Plant, wants to 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 life cycle is essential. Research, development, and innovation contribute to the sustainability of the PALFINGER business model. Michael Völker, Head of Product Management Loader Cranes EMEA, now wants to answer a few questions on the “Sustainable Products” sustainability area.
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, wants to answer some questions on the “Fair Business” sustainability field.
