SUSTAINABILITY - FOR A PROTECTED FUTURE!
Global warming and resource shortages are forcing our society to rethink.
We are also thinking about the future.
For example, we have been looking for a way to make wind turbines more efficient with our rotary drives in the field of renewable energies.
Our actuators also work with ecological fuels such as bio-oil. This reduces oil pollution and helps to leave a better world for our children. For this reason alone, we are committed to thinking and acting in a socially and ecologically responsible manner for society as a whole. Sustainability means more than just preserving ecosystems or using renewable energy sources.
It also includes the preservation and promotion of economic systems, as this is the basis for our prosperity.
We work to provide solutions that make our customers' businesses more profitable. And we endeavour to make decisions that benefit more than just our company. In addition to the formation of a Green Team, many other measures are planned to implement a sustainability strategy at HKS.
Customers, employees, suppliers and the general public, with the EU at the forefront, are increasingly demanding verifiable sustainability from us companies. Not responding to this would represent a business risk for HKS and thus jeopardise its security as a long-term employer in the market.
Photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar modules
The photovoltaic (PV) systems on our hall roofs are a sustainable and efficient method of generating electricity.
The installed solar modules convert sunlight into electrical energy. (=> direct current). An inverter then converts the direct current into alternating current suitable for use in the power grid. Our systems are environmentally friendly energy sources as they do not produce any harmful emissions during operation.
The surplus energy (e.g. generated at the weekend) is fed into the public grid, among other things. In the future, there is also the possibility of using storage technologies to further optimise the electricity generated as a sustainable energy source.
To summarise: our PV systems on the hall roofs not only contribute to sustainable energy generation, but also offer HKS the opportunity to make its energy supply environmentally friendly, reduce operating costs and actively contribute to environmental protection.
Each kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity generated produces different amounts of CO2 in grams (g), depending on the energy source from which the electricity comes. CO2 emissions are also released when green electricity is generated. What are the savings?
The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has calculated CO2 emissions of 498 grams per kilowatt hour of electricity for the conventional electricity mix in 2022. An average of 32 grams is assumed for the energy sources of green electricity.
For conventional electricity supply with a forecast consumption in 2024 of 1,498,248 kWh/year, this means CO2 emissions of approx. 650 tonnes/year. With the future green electricity supply (2024-2026), only 48 tonnes/year will be emitted. This means a saving of 602 tonnes/year.
E-forklifts already in use
A new electric forklift truck has been in use in the warehouse and dispatch area for some time now. Not only does it look attractive and compact, it also has many green advantages to offer.
The electric forklift is emission-free and produces very little noise. This means that it can also be used in closed halls. As it does not have a combustion engine, it requires less maintenance. Our new electric forklift truck is characterised by low energy consumption and less wear and tear, which is why it also scores with lower operating costs.
Company bikes via JOBRAD
There was an increase in the number of job cyclists at HKS 2023, particularly in April, May, June and August. This was certainly also due to the better weather conditions, which motivated even more employees to lease a bike.
The pedelec is unbeaten in first place among the types of bikes leased via JOBRAD, accounting for 89% of the total.
Cycling has been proven to have many positive effects on health and makes a significant contribution to environmental and climate protection.
JOBRAD has now been honoured with the German Sustainability Award 2024 for its approach to more sustainable mobility.
Waste separation systems for offices and recreation rooms
In the common rooms and offices, the current waste solutions have been replaced by new ones. The new system should be clearly visible to everyone.
In future, the black bins in the offices will only be used for paper waste. The additional waste can now be easily sorted into 4 categories:
- Residual waste
- Paper
- Plastic waste
Organic waste
Sorting waste helps to reduce the environmental impact by recycling recyclable materials and disposing of non-recyclable materials properly. This reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfill and therefore reduces pollution. By recycling materials, resources such as water, energy and raw materials can be saved. Recycling helps to conserve natural resources and reduces the need for new materials.
By separating waste, HKS can save money by using recycling programmes and disposing of less waste. Overall, separating waste within the company is a simple and effective way of reducing environmental impact, conserving resources and saving costs.
`Qiky´ ensures less paper & manpower
Qiky is used to produce QR code stickers. These are scratch-resistant and non-removable, so they have nameplate quality.
All relevant information about the HKS drive can then be called up anywhere and at any time via the QR code, i.e. directly at the machine or on the construction site.
Printing instructions for our drives is therefore completely eliminated or largely superfluous.
Further advantages are:
- Holes no longer need to be drilled in the operator to attach the nameplate.
- Pins no longer need to be purchased.
- Using Qiky saves an enormous amount of time (no engraving/no need to hammer in pins/no need to read off data etc.).
- With Qiky it is possible to manage trade fair models or demonstration devices.
- Each device can now be assigned to a specific customer.
- It is also possible to place a handover protocol behind the QR code.
- If the content of the manual changes, it does not have to be redesigned, reprinted and distributed. All information can be revised and added at any time via Qiky.
E-charging stations for electric cars
HKS also demonstrates its affinity for electromobility and sustainable technologies and recognises the needs of its customers and employees.
HKS has shortly received 4 charging points, the purchase and installation of which was subsidised by KfW Bank. The wallboxes are located at the courtyard at the Leipziger Straße site and at the visitor car park.
Those who embark on a transformation towards sustainability secure an important licence to operate, namely the option to grow in the future. Implementing a sustainability strategy not only means strengthening your own corporate and employer brand, but also enhancing your product range and reducing risks that are difficult to grasp.
HKS has also recognised this. On the part of the HKS shareholders, the sustainability strategy has become one of the elementary core topics for HKS. An active start has already been made to bring about positive change in many areas with the help of small adjustments.