Polch, 6 June 2012. – Griesson -de Beukelaer (GdB) makes a clear commitment to social and ecological responsibility in its raw materials purchasing: From this summer, the company will be the first food manufacturer in the German sweet baked goods market to buy sustainably cultivated cocoa for all its brands. From July 2012 GdB is to buy exclusively cocoa that is 100 percent UTZ Certified for all the products from Griesson (including Soft Cake), Prinzen Rolle, DeBeukelaer (Rondino) and Tekrum. Thus following palm oil (RSPO Certified since 2011) the company will be committed to sustainable cultivation for another of its most important raw materials. “As a family company operating internationally, we take our social and ecological responsibility very seriously, and want to set the standards in the confectionery sector. This is why we have decided to take this far-reaching step”, says Lars Wagener (43), MD for Sales and Marketing. “Our consumers expect precisely this responsibility from us. They want to see this 100 percent in their favourite biscuits – now and not in the distant future!” continues Wagener.

Responsibility for future generations

UTZ, a word from the ancient Maya civilisation, means “good”. From July GdB will mention the certification, which guarantees traceability along the entire supply chain, on the packaging of all its branded products. “By taking the step of buying UTZ Certified cocoa for all its branded products, Griesson -de Beukelaer is demonstrating strong commitment and at the same time its willingness to invest in sustainability”, says Han de Groot, Executive Director of UTZ Certified. “Thanks to Griesson - de Beukelaer we are able to help farmers and their families reach their life goals and make a contribution to safeguarding the Earth’s natural resources”.

The Dutch organisation UTZ Certified is a programme and quality seal for sustainable cultivation. UTZ Certified’s mission is to create a world in which sustainable cultivation is the norm. A world in which farmers apply good agricultural practices and run their farms profitably, with consideration for people and the environment. A world in which industry invests in sustainable production and rewards this, and in which consumers can have a good conscience when enjoying the products they are familiar with.

“Our actions have traditionally been determined by the obligation to run the company in a way that is ecologically compatible, financially successful and socially beneficial”,
is how Lars Wagener describes the company’s understanding of sustainability. Hence since the beginning of the year Griesson - de Beukelaer has been producing its own electricity at its sites in Polch (Rhineland-Palatinate) and Kahla (Thuringia) using combined heat and power plants. In the autumn the works in Kempen (North Rhine-Westphalia) will be similarly equipped, and thus CO2 emissions will be clearly reduced.

In order to encourage more sustainable palm oil cultivation worldwide, in March 2010 Griesson - de Beukelaer became a member of the certification system RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil). The objective of this round table is to support sustainable cultivation and the use of sustainable palm oil or fat by establishing reliable standards. GdB has obtained RSPO Certified palm oil for its branded products, including the Prinzen Rolle, since 2011. By 2015 100 percent of the palm oil it buys will be certified, with this quota already standing at around 90 percent. Due to its exemplary commitment in terms of sustainable palm oil, the company achieved one of the best ratings of all German companies on the WWF Palm Oil Buyers‘ Scorecard 2011. For its eggs, GdB has been committed to using only deep litter and free range eggs since 2007. Internally too GdB is following a path to sustainability: Wide-ranging social benefits, flexible working time models and co-determination are just some of many examples that have confirmed GdB’s reputation as a fair and reliable employer at the different German sites.