COOPERATION INSTEAD OF COMPETITION,
COMMON GOOD INSTEAD OF PROFIT MAXIMIZATION
Love is the greatest
economic value
At MOIN, we make good food for other people and are passionate about applying our skills, energy and time. As a company, we believe we have a responsibility to contribute to the greater good of society and help shape a future that is fit for the coming generations. But how can we measure such sustainable efforts?
Thanks to the Economy for the Common Good (ECG) and its value-based points system, a company's contribution to the well-being of people and the environment can be measured in figures. Around 4,500 members have now joined this movement for an alternative economic system away from the principles of a financial balance sheet.
We have just recently received our second audit certificate from ECG and are very pleased with it. After achieving a total of 533 points in our first assessment for 2017/2018, we have now achieved a full 642 points for the period 2019 to 2021.
The improvement in our balance sheet shows us quite clearly that it is worthwhile - even (or indeed especially) in challenging times - to look courageously to the future in order to remain able to take action. Even though the Corona situation meant that we were not able to implement everything we had planned after our first audit, we kept moving nevertheless and achieved a great deal. Here is an overview:
- We installed a photovoltaic system on our roof and have been producing about 30% of our required electricity ourselves ever since. In 2020 we were able to use 27,000 kWh of electricity from our own PV system, and in 2021 we were able to use as much as 235,038 kWh.
- We employ people from 12 different nations, including Russians, Polish, Syrians and many more. However, many of our employees are not fully conversant in German, which is the agreed language of communication at our company. That is why we have been offering language courses since 2019, which prevents possible communication difficulties and ensures more equal opportunities.
- We have also integrated a supplier evaluation system into our business routine since 2019. Once a year, the data of all suppliers is updated in order to avoid any social risks.
- In 2020, our factory store opened its door for the first time. By doing this, we realized an employee project that allowed us to create more encounter between those who make our baked goods and those who eat them. Here, we share our knowledge, show how our baked goods are made through a large window to our bakery, and receive helpful feedback in a direct exchange. The comments and ideas of our factory shop customers are incorporated into our product development. The wish to make our organic baked goods available locally for the people of Glückstadt and the surrounding area was also frequently expressed to us before our factory store came into existence. We are pleased to have been able to fulfill this wish and provide to our community for almost three years now.
- Mechanical modifications to the packaging machine enabled us to reduce our foil consumption by 10% compared to previous years. In addition to the savings in packaging materials, in 2020 we switched all foils to monofoils, which are 100% recyclable. And since mid-2021, we have been considering a deposit system in which we would like to use cradle-to-cradle certified crates instead of the current cardboard cartons. We are currently still working on the implementation of this.
- In 2021, we invested in two new, more efficient ovens, which will save a lot of energy.
- 2021 is also the year since which MOIN has had a new management team in Jule Usadel, Julianna Müller and Vicky Leskien. The three young women have insight into all areas of the company and are working to ensure greater transparency within the organization. This is to be further improved in 2022 through flatter hierarchies, more responsibility among team leaders and an expanded communication culture.
The reflection on our company has helped us to realize how much we have grown and, of course, where we would like to improve even more.
As short-term goals, we have set ourselves the further optimization of our packaging as well as the increase in the efficiency of our photovoltaic system. Furthermore, we would like to examine the use of car-sharing concepts for our business trips.
In the longer term, we plan to introduce a transparent wage system and still want to set up a comprehensive health management program for all employees. In addition, a company kindergarten is on our wish list for MOIN’s future.
What we do today has an impact on tomorrow. Our value compass guides us toward the common good - both for our generation and for generations to come.
For more information about the model and the ECG certification, click here: https://www.ecogood.org