“Blessed” Water and the Flutter of Insect Wings – BCSDH Executive Weekend at Szentkirályi Magyarország and SolServices Ltd.

How can ideas, enthusiasm and perseverance turn a brand into the leading mineral water brand on the Hungarian market? What responsibility does a mineral water producer have in the field of sustainability? Can the level of biodiversity be assessed based on birdsong and the vibrations of insect wings? What can a company do within its own premises to restore biodiversity? At this year’s traditional BCSDH Executive Weekend, 22 business leaders and their partners received answers to these questions. During the inspiring two-day programme, participants gained insight into the operations of two of our member companies: they visited Szentkirályi Magyarország’s production facility in Szentkirály and SolServices Ltd.’s nature-friendly solar park. The programme also provided an opportunity for informal exchanges of experience and for strengthening professional relationships.

The first stop of the programme was Szentkirályi Magyarország’s production facility in Szentkirály, where Attila Chikán Jr., President of BCSDH, welcomed the participants. Levente Balogh, founder of the company, then presented the key milestones in the company’s development through vivid and entertaining stories. During the site visit, participants learned how mineral water from a spring located in a small consecrated chapel in the middle of a park at the heart of Szentkirály reaches the state-of-the-art bottling lines. A presentation by Nikolett Fekete, the company’s Head of Sustainability and PR, also provided insight into the company’s sustainability efforts, as well as the practical implementation and challenges of circular packaging solutions.

On the second day, at the invitation of SolServices Ltd., participants visited Lumen Park in Szolnok. Following a welcome by Dr Gábor Farkas, Managing Director, they toured one of Hungary’s largest solar parks, guided by Dr Ágnes Takács, the company’s Head of Project Development, and experts from RenewEarth.
What makes the site unique is its strong focus on biodiversity conservation alongside renewable energy generation. Participants learned about the measures implemented as part of the company’s nature-friendly solar park development concept, as well as the biodiversity initiatives that have significantly increased biological diversity at the site. Surveys conducted to date indicate an enrichment of local flora and fauna, demonstrating that renewable energy generation and nature conservation can be successfully aligned even in a large-scale development.
The company also plans to automate future monitoring and measurements, potentially calculating indicators of species diversity and abundance based on birdsong and insect wing vibrations.

The programme continued at the RepTár Szolnok Aviation Museum, where participants witnessed the ceremonial signing of a strategic partnership agreement between SolServices Ltd. and Hungarian Interchurch Aid.
The cooperation clearly demonstrates that the environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development are closely interconnected. By providing strategic rather than ad hoc support, companies can give aid organisations greater flexibility to develop long-term solutions for people in need across Hungary, particularly within local communities.

We would like to thank the leaders and colleagues of Szentkirályi Magyarország and SolServices Ltd. for their warm hospitality, openness and the highly informative professional programme.