Leinolat Group has decided to advance corporate responsibility within its operations to meet societal obligations and customer expectations. Samuli Kuusisto, the Group’s Sustainability Manager, emphasizes the importance of concrete sustainability measures in business development.
A sustainability strategy involving the entire Group
The Group decided to assess the current state of sustainability matters before formulating a new strategy. Approximately 50 employees participated in drafting the strategy, and discussions regarding sustainability were also held with stakeholders.
“We decided early on that involving our employees from the start would yield the best possible outcome. Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and the best way to implement related measures is to involve everyone and ask what sustainability means to them. Participants were given preliminary assignments, I interviewed them, and we held workshops to gather material.”
Stakeholders included, among others, a supplier, the University of Vaasa, the Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce, and parties involved in the Open Smart Manufacturing Ecosystem project.
“We received development resources and extensive feedback from stakeholders. Based on this, we gained a comprehensive understanding of which measures are best and which actions would have the greatest impact on sustainability.”
All the gathered material was presented to the Group’s management team, which used it to design a sustainability strategy covering the entire Group. The strategy approved by the Board of Leinolat Group in November 2022 is the result of collaboration among more than 70 people.
The strategy is based on the areas of responsibility highlighted by the personnel.
Sustainability is a cornerstone of the Group’s strategy. During 2022, the sustainability strategy was clarified by dividing it into three areas:
- Employees – ensuring equal opportunities to influence and fostering collaboration
- Group company operations – the current state of operations and trends in carbon dioxide emissions
- Making sustainability concrete – practical actions
Concrete sustainability measures, target setting, and reporting practices within these areas were further developed during 2023. This development work, which forms the foundation of the sustainability strategy, will continue in the coming years.
“Across the Group, we are unanimous in the belief that only a responsible company can succeed in the future. That is why we are taking concrete steps to reduce our environmental impact. For instance, we invested in a geothermal heating and cooling system for Kilkanen’s new factory. Another concrete measure was the installation of solar panels on the factory roof; their output covers approximately 15% of the factory’s annual electricity needs.”
Implementation of the sustainability strategy began in April 2023 with a training session organized in cooperation with the Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce. Anne Vanhala, a sustainability expert from the Finland Chamber of Commerce, opened the event with a presentation on the role of sustainability in business. Maijastiina Jokisalo, Training and Liaison Manager at the Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce, also played a key role in organizing the event.
Partners require sustainability measures.
As Leinolat Group collaborates with major national players, formulating a sustainability strategy was a natural progression in the company’s business development. These major players are also focused on addressing challenges related to business sustainability—a trend that impacts the Leinolat Group as well.
“For instance, one of our clients required us to demonstrate—through certification—our commitment to sustainable business practices; consequently, Uwira was awarded the EcoVadis Silver certification in early 2023.”
In Finland, many sustainability-related measures are an integral part of business operations, driven in part by legislation. An impartial third-party assessment of a company’s operations serves as a mark of assurance for partners.
“We recognize the importance of international certifications; they signal that we conduct our operations in accordance with specific standards,” Kuusisto concludes.