Our philosophy is sustainable for our grandchildren.
For heinrichschulte, sustainability is not a one-off project or an isolated metric, but part of our corporate identity. We are expanding this understanding to include a further dimension: sustainability for our grandchildren. For us as a family-run business, acting in accordance with this conviction means thinking about tomorrow today and helping to shape the future responsibly.
We put this approach into practice in three key areas: economic, environmental and social sustainability. The entrepreneurial families behind our strong group take responsibility for the long-term development of our companies, for our employees and their families, for our customers, and for products that will last for many years. A stable economic foundation creates the conditions for long-term investment in environmental sustainability, modern technologies, secure jobs and social responsibility. That is why we combine local manufacturing, durable products and responsible decision-making with the aim not only of creating value, but also of preserving it for future generations. At the same time, we align our processes with resource conservation, transparency and long-term value creation. In doing so, we support the people who shape heinrichschulte with their knowledge, experience and dedication. In this way, sustainability becomes a holistic value proposition for us: ‘sustainability for our grandchildren’.
Sustainable
for our grandchildren
For heinrichschulte, economic responsibility is closely linked to long-term stability, regional value creation and the ability to invest. As a family-run business, we think in terms of generations: for the entrepreneurial family, for our employees and their families, and for our customers, who rely on reliable products and a partnership-based approach.
Environmental Sustainability
At heinrichschulte, our commitment to responsible resource management is reflected in the ongoing optimisation of energy consumption, material usage, packaging cycles and production technologies. As a family-run business, we view environmental sustainability as a responsibility towards future generations, our customers and the families associated with our company.
Social Sustainability and Engagement
At heinrichschulte, social responsibility centres on the people who, through their knowledge, experience and dedication, shape the quality of the company. As a family-run business, we bear responsibility for our employees, their working conditions, their health and their personal development.
Economic Sustainability
For heinrichschulte, economic responsibility is closely linked to long-term stability, regional value creation and the ability to invest. As a family-run business, we think in terms of generations: for the entrepreneurial family, for our employees and their families, and for our customers, who rely on reliable products and a partnership-based approach.
Manufacturing at our two sites in Iserlohn, together with the complementary central foundry in Olpe, represents strong local value creation. Since joining the de Gruyter / Stach Group in 2004, we have been systematically expanding our production capabilities and strengthening key manufacturing processes within the Group.
Short supply chains, resilient logistics networks and consistently high levels of investment in in-house manufacturing, modern production facilities, digital processes and research and development ensure quality, competitiveness and innovative strength. Ethical conduct, fair business relationships and transparent processes form the basis for lasting trust. In this way, economic strength becomes a cornerstone of our value proposition: sustainability for our grandchildren.
Environmental Sustainability
At heinrichschulte, our commitment to responsible resource management is reflected in the ongoing optimisation of energy consumption, material usage, packaging cycles and production technologies. As a family-run business, we view environmental sustainability as a responsibility towards future generations, our customers and the families associated with our company.
A key component of this is the circular economy. Through our partnership with Interzero, transport packaging and commercial sales packaging are collected, recycled and returned to the raw materials cycle in a professional manner. This conserves natural resources and promotes the responsible use of materials.
heinrichschulte is also consistently reducing its environmental impact in production. The new electroplating facility is electrically powered and requires no gas-based process energy. Since 2020, gas consumption within the group has been reduced by around 90 per cent. Photovoltaics, battery technology, modern CNC machining centres and energy-efficient systems reinforce this approach. In this way, the conservation of resources becomes a tangible contribution to our value proposition: sustainability for our grandchildren.
Social Sustainability and Engagement
At heinrichschulte, social responsibility centres on the people who, through their knowledge, experience and dedication, shape the quality of the company. As a family-run business, we bear responsibility for our employees, their working conditions, their health and their personal development.
Health and safety, health protection and ergonomic working conditions are integral parts of our corporate responsibility. Our aim is to create a working environment in which people can work safely, healthily and productively. This includes clear points of contact, reliable communication and practical support in day-to-day work.
Through further training, courses and individual support, heinrichschulte strengthens its employees’ skills. This creates personal prospects, safeguards specialist knowledge and supports the company’s long-term viability. In this way, social sustainability links the responsibility of the entrepreneurial family with responsibility towards employees, customers and partners: sustainability for our grandchildren.
Certified Sustainability
heinrichschulte is consistently expanding its sustainability management. It is particularly important to us that our commitment to responsible business practices, clear standards and our value proposition – ‘sustainability for our grandchildren’ – is independently certified and verifiable.
The AssZert ‘Sustainability in SMEs’ certificate confirms that key requirements for responsible business practices are systematically taken into account and integrated into existing management and certification structures.
The following areas are fundamental requirements:
- Supporting the protection of human rights within its sphere of influence.
- Prohibiting all forms of forced and child labour.
- Upholding the principles of equal opportunities in the recruitment and selection of employees.
- Complying with applicable health and safety regulations.
- Complying with and improving upon applicable environmental regulations.
- Complying with relevant anti-bribery, anti-corruption and competition laws.
- Conserving resources.
In doing so, heinrichschulte underlines its own commitment to understanding quality not merely in technical terms, but as a responsibility towards people, the environment and future generations. For us, sustainable business practice is not a one-off project, but part of our ethos as a family-run business: enduring, reliable and with sustainability for our grandchildren.
Interzero Recycling Certificate for Transport Packaging
For packaging recycling, heinrichschulte works with Interzero as a certified partner. Transport packaging and commercially generated sales packaging are properly collected, recycled and returned to the recyclable-material cycle.
Professional take-back and recycling transform used packaging into new raw materials. This reduces waste, conserves natural resources and supports a responsible circular economy.
The recycling certificate therefore adds another tangible element to our sustainability management: packaging is not simply disposed of, but regarded as a valuable recyclable material. In this way, heinrichschulte combines commercial activity with resource conservation and the commitment to working sustainably for generations to come.
Production in Germany – minimal environmental impact from transport
With its production facilities in Iserlohn, heinrichschulte is clearly committed to Germany as a business location. The geographical proximity to companies within the de Gruyter / Stach Group ensures short distances, efficient coordination and strong regional value creation. As a result, manufacturing, surface finishing, assembly and logistics are more closely integrated, reducing unnecessary transport distances.
We also prioritise short supply chains and reliable partnerships when working with suppliers. This not only enhances quality and security of supply, but also reduces the environmental impact of transport.
A further step is our use of an eActros for internal factory transport. This enables us to save around 63 tonnes of CO₂ per year. Industrial manufacturing in Germany that consciously conserves resources thus meets the requirement to act in a way that is sustainable for future generations.
heinrichschulte supports the 17 Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals, known internationally as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), were defined by the United Nations as a common framework for more sustainable development by 2030. They combine environmental, social and economic responsibility and highlight how businesses, institutions and societies can contribute to sustainable development.
heinrichschulte voluntarily supports the Sustainable Development Goals and regards them as an important driving force for responsible business conduct. As a family-run business with industrial manufacturing in Germany, our focus is on durable products, resource-efficient processes, fair cooperation and sustainable value creation.
Our aim is to understand quality not only in technical terms, but also with future generations in mind. That is why we base our actions on consistency, responsibility and transparency. This includes certified management systems in accordance with ISO standards, compliance with relevant EU regulations, and adherence to the requirements of the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act. These frameworks support responsible corporate governance and help to systematically integrate environmental, social and economic sustainability goals into processes, supply chains and decision-making.
For heinrichschulte, sustainability means designing products, processes and decisions in such a way that they are economically viable, socially responsible and thus a guarantee of sustainability for our grandchildren.
By supporting the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, heinrichschulte is committed to the responsible use of resources, safe working practices, long-term partnerships and a corporate development strategy that not only anticipates the future but also actively shapes it.
Quality
Environmental protection
Occupational health and safety
Energy
Products
Compliance
Please note: The presentation of the Sustainable Development Goals is for information purposes only and does not constitute certification, endorsement or official support of heinrichschulte, its products or services by the United Nations.
In terms of content, the infographic is intended to reflect our understanding of ‘sustainable for our grandchildren’. We illustrate the link between our ISO certifications, compliance with relevant EU regulations, our due diligence obligations in the supply chain and the respective SDGs we support.
