Our society is facing enormous
challenges
The world population is growing – cities are becoming larger and larger. While our mobility requirements are increasing, we need at the same time to be taking fast and effective action against climate change.
At HÜBNER, we want to do our part to help meet the major challenges of our time. For decades we have been providing technical solutions for public transport requirements. In the meantime, products from HÜBNER are to be found in 60 to 80 percent of all the trains and buses running worldwide. Every day we continue to work on finding new ways to increase public transport capacities as well as the comfort and convenience of passengers. In this way we aim to reduce traffic on our overcrowded streets and the associated environmental impacts.
"Making mobility happen" – this is our slogan at leading trade fairs around the world.
We see environmental protection and responsible business practices as basic prerequisites for the long-term success of our company. They are integral elements of our business model – and central components of our daily work.
Our Compliance Management
As a family-owned company, we place great value on transparency and fairness. It is our responsibility that the actions of our employees in their everyday business activities are in accordance with the law. That's why we have established a group-wide Code of Conduct, which sets out binding principles of business conduct for all employees of the HÜBNER Group.
Energy management
at HÜBNER
At HÜBNER's German locations, energy management has been a core element of corporate policy since 2014. Since this time, HÜBNER has been working in accordance with the statutory energy saving targets and even exceeding them at times. In the past ten years HÜBNER has increased its energy efficiency in generating compressed air by more than 100 percent. This has made it possible to reduce compressed air costs, despite a doubling of electricity prices in the same period and a significant increase in production volume.
Already in 2007 HÜBNER switched over to green electricity. Since this time electric power requirements at the headquarters in Kassel have been met entirely with hydroelectric power from Scandinavia. The emissions arising from production and transport are compensated so that complete carbon dioxide (CO²) neutrality has been achieved. The process is regularly audited and certified by TÜV Rheinland. For heating, HÜBNER makes use of natural gas, a fossil fuel that is particularly environmentally friendly.
In addition, the entire roof area of the 6,100 square meter production and warehouse facility of Plant 2 at the Kassel location has been equipped with a photovoltaic system. With a total of 1,400 photovoltaic modules, HÜBNER is able to produce 338 megawatt hours of electricity annually, which is mainly used for the power requirements of the plant itself.
Networks, initiatives and events: Support and interaction
For many years HÜBNER has been involved in regional energy networks and initiatives at its headquarters in North Hesse. In addition to general knowledge sharing, common development projects and mutual support in the area of energy management are the main focal points of these activities.
HÜBNER was thus a member of the first North Hessen energy efficiency network "Mari:e Nordhessen" – which has given rise to extensive technical exchange. In addition, HÜBNER has supported the initiative "Engineers for 2 Degree-Target (e4²)" which was established in late summer 2019 in connection with the first Kassel Energy Management Days meeting.
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Our environmental management
An important goal at HÜBNER is to design our everyday working situations and our company locations so that they are environmentally friendly on a long-term basis. To achieve this goal numerous measures are taken together with the staff. These range from greening the roof tops of company buildings to extensive efforts to save materials in various activities.
Large parts of the roofs and walls of buildings at the plant premises at company headquarters in Kassel have been planted. Unused areas at HÜBNER are green spaces. In addition, the company premises have a high stock of trees. Currently approximately 250 natives trees stand on company property. Structuring the space, there are 500 square meters of hedges and on approximately 6,000 square meters there are tree rows and shrubbery.
Saving material in product development
HÜBNER has a clear objective: We want to conserve resources and energy. This objective is firmly rooted in the company culture. Also among the staff there is a great readiness to develop and realize ideas so as to achieve constructive material conservation. Material conservation starts right at the beginning of product development. For rubber parts, for example, solid material is not planned in functionless areas. Instead, a cavity is created which fulfills the same conditions but does not require material. With our After Sales & Service segment we also achieve enormous material savings. Through extensive refurbishment measures we are now able to reach a doubling in the product life cycle of our gangway systems.
Environmental awareness and conservation of resources
For 30 years, HÜBNER has been a sponsoring member of the organization B.A.U.M. (the German Working Group for Environmentally Sound Management). This networking organization was founded in 1984 and brings together economic, ecological and social considerations. We are very proud to be one of the long-term supporters of these efforts.
HÜBNER's Idea Management system is also a source of environmentally relevant initiatives. Thanks to an idea suggested by an employees at the headquarters in Kassel all disposalble plastic cups have been replaced by multiple-use thermo mugs. Since every employee has received a HÜBNER thermo mug, approximately 80,000 disposable plastic cups are saved each year.