2015 - Page 6 of 7

Karlovarské Minerální Vody Group buys Kékkúti Ásványvíz Zrt.

The Czech Republic based Karlovarské Minerální Vody Group (KMV) buys Kékkúti Ásványvíz Zrt. (Kékkúti). KMV is the largest bottler of mineral water in CEE and has deep expertise in the mineral water business and also wider beverage portfolio offering. KMV plans to employ in full the existing organisation of Kékkúti Ásványvíz Zrt. (110 people) and its Hungarian market entry will bring additional investments as well as ensuring the continued development of the Nestlé Waters brand portfolio.

“We have an ambitious plan for the growth of Kékkúti and it is based on the principles that have made us successful: innovation and a product portfolio for the healthy lifestyle of adults and children. We are consumer-oriented and passionate about local traditions and local products. Our mission is to infuse innovation and competitive drive to Kékkúti inspiring brands that are the part of Hungary’s tradition and that Hungarians love,” Alessandro Pasquale, CEO of KMV, specifies.

KMV started its European program of expansion in 2008. The group, employing 750 people, is now directly present in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Poland and Ukraine and exporting to more than 20 countries.

According to the European Federation of Bottled Waters, the Hungarian market for packaged water is among the most developed in Europe, consumption per capita was particularly high, 119 litres in 2013. The Hungarian market of packaged water shows positive trend with 3,5% CAGR growth in the period of 2008-2013.

Kékkúti Ásványvíz Zrt. is one of the largest mineral water bottlers in Hungary. The company bottles the Theodora and Nestlé Aquarel brands and distributes the international brand portfolio of Nestlé Waters (San Pellegrino, Acqua Panna, Perrier. As a separate legal entity, Kékkúti Ásványvíz Zrt. has been owned by Nestlé Waters, part of Nestlé Group.

Another Hungarian subsidiary of Nestlé Group is Nestlé Hungária Kft. that is not affected by the above changes. Nestlé Hungária Kft. employs over 2000 people in Hungary and made investments in value of more than 60 billion HUF in the Hungarian market during the past 23 years and it is committed to make further significant investments in the future. Nestlé Hungária Kft. has three production facilities in Hungary and 80% of its products are exported to more than 40 countries all over the world.

About KMV
KMV bottles the Mattoni, Magnesia and Aquila brands which are exported to 20 countries around the world. The company’s product portfolio includes natural and flavoured mineral waters, spring waters, iced teas, and distributes fruit juices Granini and carbonated soft drinks Schweppes under a licence agreement.

13.03.2015

Gran Prize Innovative Award 2015

News

Application is now open for the Gran Prize Innovative Interdisciplinary Award 2015 established by The Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary.

Annual prize awarded for outstandingly innovative solutions, papers and projects in response to the most pressing issues of our planet, in the field of environmental protection, sustainable evelopment, design, medicine, health preservation and development and education.

Istvan Salgó, President of BCSDH is member of the Board of Judges.

The SCCH has taken into consideration that persons, students and student groups might not yet have official publications which can be evaluated by the professional associations invited to participate in the Gran Prize award process and on the judging panel of the Gran Prize. Having taken this into account and in accord with the professionals and associations participating in the judging panel of the Gran Prize, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce hereby announces an open call to entry to the Gran Prize Innovative Interdisciplinary Award, with the following conditions:

Entries will be judged with the participation with the persons appointed by the professional associations serving on the judging panel of the Gran Prize.

Deadline for entries : April 24, 2015

Entry requirements:
– Professional resume
– Exact description of the entry and it’s beneficial, in particular innovative aspects
– Maximum length : 10 pages, not including attachments
– Auxiliary documentation of the entry, relevant for the judging of the entry

Submission:

Please upload the applications to www.swedishchamber.hu (Gran Prize submission / pályázat feltöltése) in the following file formats: Word, Excel, pdf and jpeg.
Criterias of evaluation:
– Novelty ( innovative performance, original idea )
– Social responsibility
– Sustainability
– Environmental aspect
– Potential of economic utilization
– Technological aspect

Further information:
Tel: : +36 309/708/433
Email: swedishchamber@swedishchamber.hu
Web: www.swedishchamber.hu

09.03.2015

The new Communications Manager of BCSDH has been introduced

News

At a General Meeting of the Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSDH) held on 24th February, 2015 Eszter Chikán-Kovács, the new Communications Manager, was introduced. The need for the new position was bought about by the successful development of the organization.

Ida Petrik, Managing Director, said that the high standard of professional programs as well as the growing number of member companies make it increasingly important to improve internal and external communication. She emphasized that it is her pleasure that a senior specialist who had previously supported the communication-related work of BCSDH as a volunteer is now joining the organization.

Eszter Chikán-Kovács has gathered more than 10 years’ professional experience, mostly in marketing, (working in the field of brand marketing and strategy) but she has also gained experience in PR and web marketing too. She has given lectures on Marketing Strategy in higher education and worked as senior brand manager at Zwack Unicum Plc. for a long time. Now, as the mother of two young children, Eszter is returning to working life.

Eszter’s main reason for wanting to assist with the communication work of BCSDH was the inspiring fact that the organization’s work combines the promotion of economic interests with increasing social and environmental utility and defines a path by which committed business leaders may be inspired to find new business solutions that bring into being a more liveable future. She is also attracted by the opportunity to gain new professional experience. Another important reason for joining the organisation is that the BCSDH offers family-friendly working conditions, which is crucial for Eszter, the mother of two small children.

According to Eszter, her most important task as the new Communications Manager is to make more visible the idea of corporate sustainability in business media by highlighting member companies’ best practices in order to show good examples to other companies. Her strategic tasks include deepening media relations and taking advantage of the synergy between the communications activities of BCSDH and its member companies.

03.03.2015

New member: SCA Co.

Member News

SCA is a leading global hygiene and forest products company. The Group develops and produces sustainable personal care, tissue and forest products.

Sales are conducted in about 100 countries under many strong brands. As Europe’s largest private forest owner, SCA places considerable emphasis on sustainable forest management.

The Group has about 44,000 employees. Sales in 2013 amounted to EUR 10.7bn.

SCA’s strategy is based on a sustainable business model where value creation for people and nature is put on a par with growth and profitability to ensure a successful company in both the short and long term.

For SCA, sustainability is an integral part of their business model and part of their strategy for growth and value creation.

They are a leading global hygiene and forest products company with a long tradition of taking responsibility for people and for nature. As early as the 1950s, SCA had established an extensive social program for its employees. And our origins as a forest products company have given us a deep connection with and responsibility to the environment.

The 4 strategic sustainability targets:

1. To reduce CO2 emissions from fossil fuels by 20%
SCA will reduce CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and from purchased electricity and heating by 20% by 2020, with 2005 as reference year.

2. To source wood only from non-controversial sources
Forestry: SCA’s forests net absorb 2.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, net, every year. This is equivalent to the total amount of fossil carbon dioxide emissions generated by SCA’s entire production.

3. To achieve water sustainability
SCA will reduce its water usage in water-stressed regions by 10% by 2015, with 2010 as reference year

4. Code of Conduct
The Code applies to all employees of SCA worldwide.

SCA Ltd. has joined BCSDH in November 2014.

01.03.2015

New member: METRO

Member News

METRO GROUP is one of the largest and most important international retailing companies. In the financial year 2013/14 it generated sales of around €63 billion. The company operates around 2,200 stores in 30 countries and has a headcount of around 250,000 employees. The performance of METRO GROUP is based on the strength of its sales brands that operate independently in their respective market segments: METRO/MAKRO Cash & Carry – the international leader in self-service wholesale – Media Markt and Saturn – the European market leader in consumer electronics retailing – Real hypermarkets and Galeria Kaufhof department stores.

METRO Cash & Carry is the leading international player in wholesale trade and is the largest sales lines of METRO GROUP: customer-focused, international and innovative. The distinctive business concept is oriented towards helping professional customers to successfully run their own businesses. Celebrating its 50th birthday in 2014, the wholesale company strives to be championing the passion, ambition, creativity and flexibility of independent business.

In Hungary, as in every country it operates, METRO Cash & Carry stays true to its social responsibility and is widely engaged in the local community development as a reliable employer, a dedicated player in the trade infrastructure upgrade and an expert supplier of a broad range of products for its customers. As a responsible corporate citizen, METRO Cash & Carry Hungary aims to make a sustained contribution to the society as well as the environment within its business activities to help secure long-term sustainable growth.

METRO Hungary has joined BCSDH in February 2015.

01.03.2015

New member: BIOFILTER Co.

Member News

BIOFILTER Co. is a environmental social company, specialized in bioenergy sector. It was founded in 1990, and for now, has a national collection and international processing network.

Top priority to produce energy from waste and secondary raw materials. The main profile of the company is supplying second-generation bio-energy sector, by providing the complex process of implementation of reverse logistics from the waste collected. The used cooking oil (UCO) collection, procession and import of purified vegetable oils provides raw material supplies for biodiesel plants in Hungary and neighbouring countries also.

From HoReCa and FMCG area, they collect expired food and wastes, that not allowed to be marketed, but can be used to produce biogas out of it. In 2011, for expanding the company profile, BIOFILTER started to do complex waste treatment, so by now, the company can collect and process 100% of the organic wastes, and 90% of hazardous wastes.

Biofilter Co. has joined BCSDH on 28 January 2015, after signing the ’Recommendations for Business leaders: The Complex Interpretation of Corporate Sustainability’ in November 2014.

Photo: György Deák, CEO of Biofilter Co. at signing the ‘Recommendations for Business leaders: The Complex Interpretation of Corporate Sustainability’

01.03.2015

SCA Hungary was awarded for its corporate social responsibility program

Member News

In an award ceremony in the end of November 2014, SCA Hungary was awarded for its corporate social responsibility program. “The prestigious award is the acknowledgement of all the efforts of SCA colleagues for the execution of the program. This is how SCA’s Care of Life concept has been put into practice.

SCA Hungary started a strategic cooperation with Bethesda Children’s Hospital to build a dormitory for mothers who want to stay with their children while staying in hospital. Children can pull through the hard medical treatments and recover more easily close to their mother. The goal was well defined, the actions were well planned and executed while SCA could mobilize all the local business units (Incontinence Care, Consumer Goods and AfH Professional) involving also the business partners, consumers and its own employees.

Win-win for all parties
Our efforts proved to be successful, using our communication resources and marketing expertise the hospital could collect enough money to start construction. “We must emphasize the sustainability element behind our CSR activity. Sustainability means it should be win-win for all parties therefore by definition we cannot just give away money,” says Zoltán Venter, Country Manager SCA Hungary.

SCA Hungary’s “Health is our joint mission” program has deserved the award because it is successful, efficient, and sustainable which is a model for other companies. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of SCA Hungary next year we can be proud not only for our business results, but also our sustainable social responsibility which is an additional success factor in the forthcoming years.

Proud representatives from SCA Hungary receiving the award, from left: Zoltán Venter managing director, Dóra Pessenlehner Libero brand manager, Gyula Markovics Public Affairs manager, Personal Care, Judit Sándor trade marketing manager, László Molnár commercial director of personal care and Dezső Tápai sales manager AfH Professional Hygiene Europe.

10.02.2015

Toyota Central Europe established

Member News

As of January 1, 2015, the business activities of Toyota and Lexus brands for the region of Central Europe were reorganized into the newly established Toyota Central Europe (TCE) located in Budapest. As of the same date, three TCE front line offices began operations within this region, working separately for the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. TCE’s start of business activities within the region of Central Europe is a part of the reorganization process announced at the end of March 2014 by the European headquarters, Toyota Motor Europe located in Brussels.

Shingo Kato, formerly president of Toyota Motor Czech and Toyota Motor Hungary has been appointed TCE president. He has 20 years’ experience in European Toyota operations. The position of TCE’s vice-president has been assigned to Alain Dujardyn, who has an excellent experience record from various significant positions in Toyota’s European operations.

As for Toyota Central Europe Hungary, the Director is Richárd László who has held different positions within Sales and Marketing in the last 15 years, most recently as Sales and Marketing General Manager of the carmaker’s Hungarian operations.

A company statement says the main objective of Toyota’s business reorganization within the region of Central Europe is to improve the efficiency of operations and individual processes, taking place jointly at all three markets mentioned above. At the same time, support function synergies will be achieved by centralizing them to the Hungarian head office of TCE. New strong offices in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia are to play the role of ‘front line office’, focusing mainly on support provided to the network of authorized Toyota and Lexus partners, as well as all customers in the particular region.

Source: Diplomacy and Trade Magazine, February 2015

06.02.2015

The position of ‘Head of Corporate Programs’ at BCSDH

News

The Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH) has created a new position called Head of Corporate Programs that has been filled by the expert Mandy Fertetics since 19th January. The new position is proof of the successful development of the organization which now already includes 60 member companies.

Ida Petrik, Managing Director, said that the BCSDH had reached a new stage of development according to which the sustainability programs and the commitment of members made it possible and at the same time necessary to assign an expert to lead BCSDH’s corporate programs. She emphasized that the organization can be proud that an experienced and acknowledged expert who has already supported the work of the NGO as an external consultant over the last two years is joining BCSDH’s team.

Mandy Fertetics has gathered more than 10 years’ professional experience in the field of sustainable development in different roles: she has worked with NGOs, as a lecturer and trainer, in media and research and has more than 8 years’ experience as a CSR consultant. She also gained practical business experience working at Dreher Breweries (a subsidiary of SABMiller plc.) in the position of corporate affairs manager, during which time she took her maternity leave.

Mandy’s main reason for joining BCSDH was the motivating and inspiring fact that the organization is now working and thinking together with company CEOs and leaders who are key to enhancing corporate sustainability. These individuals are actively involved in shaping the goals and programs of the BCSDH. Local programs are based on the high quality global programs of our mother organization, The World Business Council for Sustainable Development, but the Hungarian organization always adapts them to local circumstances. Another important reason is that the BCSDH ensures family-friendly working conditions, which is crucial for Mandy, the mother of a small child.

Our new colleague’s aim is to further inspire committed business leaders to transform their sustainability commitment into everyday practice based on the strategies and tools disseminated by BCSDH.

Our most exciting task in 2015 will be related to the Action 2020 Hungary program which was introduced in November 2014. The next steps of the program involve collecting, developing and disseminating the business solutions which will contribute to achieving the goals that are defined in the program.

Mandy, who has wide range of acknowledged experience in the field of sustainability training and development, will also be responsible for the ’Future Leaders’ talent program which has been announced among member companies. Based on the successes of the first year, this year’s program has already commenced. Young, talented professionals and managers who have the potential to become business leaders have been nominated to participate in this program. The goal is for them to learn more about sustainable development: what it means, why it is crucial to business success and how they can translate it into business decisions. The program of development is based on a group learning, cooperative process and the active involvement of member companies as mentors.

Alongside the two main programs mentioned above, the dissemination of the ’Recommendation for Business Leaders – The Complex Interpretation of Sustainable Development’ will continue. This year’s focus is Responsible Governance.

04.02.2015

Commencement of the Future Leaders’ Talent Program 2015

News

Based on the success of the previous year’s BCSDH Future Leaders Program, 25 talented young managers started this year’s development program on the 27^th January.

What is common to the Accounts Manager of E.ON, the Consumer Sales Manager of SCA Hygiene, the PR Coordinator of Coca Cola HBC Hungary, the HR Manager of Magyar Lapterjesztő, the Production Manager of Grundfos and the Marketing Manager of Shell? Certainly the fact that they are very talented professionals, that they have already proven their leadership potential during their few year’s business working experience and that they all have a maximum of a few years’ management experience. This is why they are participating in the nine-month Future Leaders’ Talent Program where they will get to know more about the theoretical background of sustainable development and be introduced to good, practical case studies of corporate sustainability.

At the opening ceremony held on the 27^th January 2015 at Siemens participants had the opportunity to meet each other and the program-supporting mentors for the first time. President István Salgó emphasized in his welcome speech that the complex interpretation of corporate sustainability is accurately captured in the ‘Recommendation of Business Leaders of BCSDH’ which provides the structure of the educational program, covering most of the important areas of corporate sustainability for current and potential business leaders. Dale A. Martin, CEO of hosting company Siemens, stressed the importance of the program which is not only forward-looking from a macro-economic perspective but can also have benefits at a corporate level; this is why Siemens has already delegated two managers to participate in the program this year. Ida Petrik, Managing Director of BCSDH, drew attention to the key successes of last year’s program: the fact that member companies, mentoring corporate professionals and open-minded, talented participants worked together and shared experiences to successfully accomplish the learning and development goals of the program.

The newly-appointed Head of Corporate Programs of the BCSDH, Mandy Fertetics, introduced this year’s program in detail and introduced the mentor companies who are actively involved in the forthcoming program (Alteo, BDL, Ben&Loch Lomond, Biofilter, Budapest Airport, Coca-Cola HBC, Dandelion, E.ON, Grundfos, Holcim, HUGBC, KPMG, McDonald’s, MOL, Richter Gedeon, Siemens, Telenor, Unilever and Zwack). Different methods will be used in the program, which is based on group learning, to enhance learning and development outcomes. They include company visits, case studies, round table discussions, CEO interviews, presentations and interactive exercises.

During the dinner entertainment was provided by a sustainability test and a game which helped the guests to get to know each other. Dale A. Martin – who should receive an Oscar for his performance – acted the role of a fictive CEO who needed convincing about the importance of one of the Action 2020 Hungary program goals (as chosen by the group). The brave candidates came up with a wide range of creative ideas about how to harmonize business opportunities with sustainability challenges.

The 24 participants of the Future Leaders Program Hungary 2015 are delegates of the following BCSDH member companies: BASF, BDL, Biofilter, Budapest Airport, Coca-Cola, Coface, eisberg, E.ON, Generali Biztosító, Grundfos, KPMG, Magyar Lapterjesztő, McDonald’s, Nestlé, SCA, Shell, Siemens, Syngenta and Unilever. One more participant is the recipient of a scholarship awarded to the winner of a competition for university students: Beke Tomaj, an M.Sc. student from ELTE Science University.

More photos you can find here: http://bcsdh.hu/galeria/?album=1&gallery=25

If you would like to know more about the program or watch the video of 2014, click here:

http://bcsdh.hu/temak/jovo-vezetoi/

04.02.2015