Sustainable development

We as a company recognise the importance of investing in the local environment, the relevance of our work for smaller customers and our involvement in the local environment. We as a company are inseparably connected with Celje not only in economic terms, but also in cultural and sporting terms. We are sponsors of HC Celje Pivovarna Laško and many other local associations and organisations. Through our co-ownership of local steel producer Štore Steel, we are actively participating in the development of the industry and continuing the 150-year tradition of steel and steel materials production in the region, further strengthening our strategic focus on connecting steel producers and buyers, as well as our local and national presence.

We recognise the importance of protecting the environment for future generations and want to contribute to carbon neutrality. It is with this in mind that we intend to invest in the green breakthrough in the 2022–2026 strategy period and identify projects that can have a positive impact on environmental protection. In 2022, an Action Plan for Environmentally Responsible Behaviour was adopted, which foresees investments in the construction of our own solar power plant, the reduction of the carbon footprint of our working machines, and the care of the natural biotope around our company.

We promote a wide range of sporting activities to contribute to a healthy lifestyle. We in particular support organisations that enable young people to participate in recreational or competitive sport.

Corporate governance governs the relationships between the management board, the supervisory board, shareholders and other stakeholders. The company has a transparent organisational structure with defined internal relationships of responsibility and authority in the management system, based on an effective risk management system that is embedded in all levels of our operations. We strive to continuously improve our sustainability performance through regular monitoring, evaluation and reporting on our achievements and objectives. Our sustainability strategy is based on the principles of responsible management, innovation and long-term thinking. We take proactive steps to integrate sustainability criteria into our business decisions and corporate governance processes. We are pursuing our strategic objectives through a successful business, a sustainable and stable dividend policy.

We follow the principles of the circular economy in the trading and processing of raw materials, which is our guiding principle for the future. All waste is properly recorded and delivered to authorised collectors in accordance with the Waste Management Plan. A large part of the waste is sold for further processing.

We implement digitisation projects to adapt our business to digital markets, improve the digital competences of our employees, promote energy and material efficient processes and increase added value per employee. In order to achieve these goals, we need to focus on improving the customer experience, efficient data collection, processing and visualisation of data, developing processes and digital solutions to support business, introducing digital business models and processes, promoting energy and material efficient processes, and developing a digital workforce.

In 2022, we installed a solar power plant on the roof of our central warehouse in Štore. We have also decided to make an investment in line with the transition to green energy. The electricity is generated by 1,099 solar modules, each with a power output of 455W. Our plant will generate about 500MWh of electricity per year and will cover our electricity needs, and we will be able to sell the extra electricity on the market.

A responsible attitude towards employees is a key factor in both attracting and retaining talent. We understand our responsibility towards our employees as caring and professional conduct from the beginning to the end of their employment with the Kovintrade Group. Core activities towards employees include induction, mentoring, training and development, rewarding performance, and building a culture of cooperation and teamwork. Employee health and safety is also a top priority. We at Kovintrade Group ensure a safe and healthy working environment, following the latest trends and standards in occupational health and safety.