ESRS Angaben_e

The Sustainability Report and the values reported therein are based on information obtained to the best of our knowledge and in good faith. The information is presented as accurately as reasonably possible.

As part of the Mission Blue Sustainability Initiative and in accordance with the ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 standards, environmental and energy team meetings are held twice a year. This core team for Mission Blue presents objectives and measures for Mission Blue for the following year(s) at the Schubert Group’s annual strategy meeting in the extended management circle. Required decisions, e.g. with regard to investments, evaluation of risks and opportunities and derived measures, are discussed and decided on by those responsible for the fields of action and Marcel Kiessling in the Management Board in the presence of the Schubert Group shareholders.

Sustainability-related targets and performance have not yet been integrated into incentive systems. The management and shareholders of the Schubert Group are committed to the vision, mission and guiding principles of the company and act accordingly.

The shareholders and management of the Schubert Group continuously assess how they deal with the actual and potential negative impacts on the environment and people relating to their business activities. This assessment feeds into the annual review of the materiality analysis for the sustainability report. Opportunities and risks for business activities are discussed at an annual strategy meeting of the extended management team and appropriate measures are derived.

For the 2027 financial year, the Schubert Group’s Sustainability Report will be prepared in compliance with the ESRS standard and audited by the Schubert Group’s auditor.

The following stakeholders influence the company or can be influenced by it and were therefore considered relevant:
- Employees and applicants
- Customers
- Suppliers
- Shareholders
- Local communities at the sites
- The environment (as a silent stakeholder)
The views of stakeholders on the company’s business activities are regularly
surveyed and evaluated in order to recognise impacts, risks and opportunities.
The interests of employees are represented by the Works Council. A dialogue with
the management takes place on a weekly basis and on special topics as required.

For the Schubert Group, it is of decisive importance to actively identify and evaluate significant impacts, risks and opportunities and to incorporate them into the development of strategies and business models in order to ensure sustainable and forward-looking corporate management. Schubert supports companies in the consumer goods and pharmaceutical industries with the automation of their packaging processes. Customer surveys conducted confirm that customers expect Schubert, as a machine manufacturer, to provide support in the development of sustainable packaging and to offer testing opportunities. As part of the Mission Blue Sustainability Initiative, Schubert has defined environmentally friendly packaging as a field of activity and bundles all consulting services and testing options under “Packaging Perspectives”. Schubert is confident that this will create opportunities for successful differentiation in the competitive environment of the future. We consider a lack of support from our customers in the development of sustainable packaging to represent a risk for our business. Companies in the consumer goods industry increasingly expect their suppliers, and therefore also Schubert, to provide evidence of sustainable behaviour. Under certain circumstances, documentation and possibly certification could be the prerequisite for a successful business relationship in the future. The product carbon footprint of a machine in operation may become a purchasing decision criterion in the future and therefore represent an opportunity for differentiation.

Disclosure requirements that are categorised as not relevant based on the materiality analysis are marked as immaterial below.

The measures implemented in the reporting year to achieve the sustainability goals as part of Mission Blue are presented in this report.

As part of its Mission Blue Sustainability Initiative, Gerhard Schubert GmbH collects key figures on important sustainability topics. These include parameters relating to employer attractiveness, such as employee satisfaction, staff turnover, further training and occupational safety; climate neutrality, including scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions and material scope 3 emissions; environmentally friendly machines and services, including energy consumption and product carbon footprint; and the collaborative development of sustainable packaging solutions. By systematically collecting and evaluating this data, Schubert can present progress transparently, identify potential for improvement and effectively pursue sustainability goals.

The Schubert Group pursues the following objectives for the four fields of activity of the Mission Blue Sustainability Initiative:
- To be one of the best employers in Germany (certified by “Great Place to Work”)
- To produce climate-neutrally (Scope 1 and 2). No specific target has yet been set for Scope 3. A target certified by SBTi is being sought.
- Environmentally friendly machines and services, i.e. minimised product carbon footprint over the life cycle
- To be a development partner to our customers for sustainable packaging

The Schubert Group strives for climate-neutral sites in accordance with Scope 1 and 2 of the GHG Protocol. The strategy for achieving this goal is to invest in energy-efficient buildings, increase the energy efficiency of machinery and equipment, promote electric mobility in the vehicle fleet and use renewable energies with the aim of replacing fossil fuels. The generation of electricity from our own sources is promoted through the installation of photovoltaic systems. The energy efficiency of packaging machines is improved through the use of new technologies, e.g. for vacuum or compressed-air generation. Climate-neutral operations at our customers’ sites will only be possible by switching to green electricity. The Schubert Group works closely with its customers as a development partner to promote sustainable, recyclable packaging.

Improve energy efficiency
In 2023, an energy monitoring system was installed at the Crailsheim site to record energy consumption. This will serve as a basis for improving energy efficiency in the current year and in subsequent years. It will also be continuously expanded and improved.

Reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling
At the Crailsheim site, the construction of the new Assembly Hall 3 with office building was completed in 2023 in accordance with the KfW 40 Plus efficiency standard. Now 100 % of the heating and cooling energy is generated from renewable energy sources (photovoltaics 523 kWp, heat pumps, ice storage). A 567 kWp photovoltaic system with was installed on Hall 1 North. Both photovoltaic systems cover approximately 25 % of the energy requirements of the Crailsheim site. Since 2022, 100 % certified green electricity has been used. The administration building and Hall 1 North are heated with geothermal energy and therefore climate-neutral.

We are reducing our absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42 % compared to 2021 and will additionally reduce our Scope 3 emissions by 30 % per FTE by 31 December 2030, based on the methodology of the GHG Protocol.

Not currently practised

Not currently practised

From the current perspective, no financial impact from significant physical risks, transition risks or potential climate-related opportunities is apparent. A reassessment will be carried out next year.

The Schubert Group complies with all environmental laws and regulations applicable in Germany. We are implementing a plan of measures to reduce SOx, NOx and VOC emissions. This includes, for example, optimising and converting the painting process, which could result in VOC savings of 35 %.

The Schubert Group is implementing continuous emissions monitoring to reduce SOx, NOx and VOC emissions by 31 December 2027 and is using this to set further targets for reducing environmental pollution, in addition to the reduction of fossil fuels and the VOC reduction plan.

The Schubert Group does not produce any substances of concern.

From the current perspective, we do not anticipate any financial impact from significant risks and opportunities related to environmental pollution. A reassessment will be carried out in the following year.

A waste balance sheet has been drawn up to record all waste streams. As a general rule, the aim is to achieve greater resource efficiency in the use of raw materials. For example, sheet metal waste produced during laser cutting is collected and returned for recycling. Cutting waste from the cutting of safety screens for packaging machines made of acrylic glass is also collected and returned for recycling. Schubert packaging machines are typically operated for more than 20 years. This service life is ensured by appropriate services (maintenance, repair, retrofitting). At the end of their life cycle, packaging machines are either taken back by Schubert or by the operator themselves and recycled or reused for components. Schubert makes buy-back offers for certain components that can be reused.

No targets have been set yet.

Not covered.

From today’s perspective, we do not anticipate any financial impact from significant risks and opportunities related to resource use and recycling management. A reassessment will be carried out next year.

The Schubert Group workforce is involved in the objectives and measures of the Mission Blue Sustainability Initiative through regular exchanges with employee representatives at the sites in Germany. In addition, annual employee surveys are conducted for Gerhard Schubert GmbH in Crailsheim.

A whistle-blower system has been established for the Schubert Group, through which reports of violations of corporate principles andlaws can be submitted.

Risks and opportunities relating to our own workforce arise from our efforts to fill vacant positions with suitable candidates and from the motivation and satisfaction of our employees with their jobs at the Schubert Group. Currently, it is possible to fill all positions appropriately. Training at the Schubert Group in various professions also plays an important role in this regard. Employee satisfaction is at a good level, although it has not yet reached the target value.

The Schubert Group generally prefers to employ its staff directly. In cases where holiday periods or particularly high capacity
utilisation occur, as well as due to foreign legal provisions, the company occasionally uses the services of temporary
employment agencies.

The Schubert Group is not bound by collective agreements, but generally provides the benefits agreed by the parties to the collective agreement for the metal industry.

With three production sites and one sales location in Germany, the Schubert Group is subject to German social legislation. The sales
and service companies in the USA, Canada, England and China comply with local social legislation.

Not specified

We do not see any direct impact of our business activities on workers in the value chain.

We do not see any direct impact of our business activities on workers in the value chain.

We do not see any direct impacts, opportunities or risks to workers in the value chain arising from our business activities.

The strategy of regional supply chains will be continued as far as possible, as close geographical links with suppliers offer advantages
that support delivery reliability, for example.

In B2B activities, customer relationships usually exist over long periods of time. Collaboration is either project-related (e.g. for the purchase of a packaging machine or a component) or to support the ongoing operation of the machines. The buyer’s requirements are usually specified in specifications or requirement documents, which the Schubert Group fulfils. The technical service department at Gerhard Schubert GmbH conducts regular surveys in which customers can express their satisfaction with specific business transactions (service calls, parts deliveries, training courses, retrofits). The management of the Group companies is responsible for incorporating customer requirements into company policy.

Customers and users of Schubert Group products can express any concerns at any time via their usual personal contacts or via the management of the Group companies.

Schubert packaging machines comply with all EU safety standards to guarantee the safe and sustainable operation of the machines. Schubert considers optimising energy efficiency and the Product Carbon Footprint to be a quality attribute for the future. Supporting users in the development of sustainable packaging solutions, e.g. using cardboard instead of plastic and automating the packaging process are seen as opportunities to increase competitiveness. The Schubert Group itself does not produce or sell packaging.

The Schubert Group firmly believes that high customer satisfaction with its products and services is essential for long-term success. It therefore aims to conduct broad and regular customer satisfaction surveys. The methodology and objectives for these surveys have not yet been finalised.

The Schubert Group strives to establish long-term relationships with predominantly regional suppliers. These include many SMEs. Schubert expects its suppliers to behave in an ethically impeccable manner and to comply with the law. The requirements for suppliers are set out in a Supplier Code of Conduct.

A compliance management system has been introduced. This includes a statement of principles from the management, a Supplier Code of Conduct for business partners, a software-supported risk management system for monitoring supply chains, a whistle-blower system and internal guidelines.

No political influence or lobbying takes place.

The Schubert Group does not differentiate between SMEs and larger companies as suppliers in terms of payment practices. It generally strives to establish long-term, trusting relationships with its suppliers. This is reflected in its payment practices.