AutoStore, a pioneer in automated cubic storage, which also specialises in storing goods in standardised, specially designed plastic containers called Containers, won the "Pathway to Sustainability" award at the latest edition of Mecspe in Bologna.
The award recognises AutoStore's commitment not only to providing inherently sustainable technological solutions (such as robots that consume the same amount of energy as a vacuum cleaner, or the reduction of 75% of the space used for storage for the same amount of goods stored, which allows for an equal reduction in land use and consumption related to heating/refrigeration), but also and above all the Norwegian company's seriousness and commitment to ESG issues.
In fact, sustainability is written into AutoStore's DNA and is lived every day by its employees around the world.
Accepting the award was Francesco Mantegna, General Manager of the Italian subsidiary, who said:
"This recognition not only confirms our commitment to providing our clients with the most innovative and sustainable solutions, but also our strong focus on our people and the communities in which we operate. As more and more organisations are required to report on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and are already able to position themselves as ESG-compliant in various areas, we are pleased that our attitude of looking ahead and leading the way in every area of our business has been recognised."
"For AutoStore, sustainability means building on our strengths while growing in the right way," said Agnethe Brown Erland, VP Sustainability at AutoStore. "We have focused on in-depth analysis to understand where we have the greatest impact, both positive and negative. This requires a broad view, not only of our operations, but also of our value chain. It is important for us to account for our sustainability efforts in an open and transparent way.
The award was presented by Senaf, in collaboration with Project HUB 360, which selected AutoStore among more than 50 exhibitors participating in the Sustainability Objective Path for the following reasons: For a well-founded approach to sustainability that includes all ESG areas with reference to the SDGs; for the establishment of a VP of Sustainability and an internal group of Sustainability Ambassadors; for internal control of emissions with a focus on Scope 3; for the annual budget dedicated to social projects; for the opportunity for employees to volunteer during working hours; and for various benefits, including mental wellbeing.
"As a growing, forward-looking company with a global presence and operations, AutoStore recognises that we can have both positive and negative impacts on people and the environment throughout our value chain," concluded Anette Matre, Chief People & Information Officer at AutoStore. "Therefore, for AutoStore, sustainability encompasses not only the solutions, products and services we offer, but also the way we conduct our business and treat our employees and partners. Given the broad scope of our sustainability efforts and impacts, we are building an organisational scheme based on accountability within the company, supported not only by our internal experts, but also by 'sustainability ambassadors' in the different business areas. For us, it's about making our efforts practical, realistic and customer-focused to help create a better future for all.
