“Proton stands for positive change”.
Proton Group is a Swedish, family-owned group based in Värnamo, consisting of 15 subsidiaries ranging from manufacturing to service companies. The three main areas of operation include lighting, surface treatment and pipe construction. Proton Group was founded in 1990 and currently has 440 employees.
The initial need
Proton Group is facing the extensive task of implementing the new requirements of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The initial need was to create a structure for the entire group, which captures both group-wide issues and company-specific conditions. In addition, there was a need to train both employees and the board to create understanding and anchoring, and develop a clear action plan to meet the requirements and deadlines going forward.
What was included in the assignment and what was the objective?
Our mission has included a holistic approach to CSRD implementation. This has included, among other things:
- Training on several occasions with different target groups
- Various workshops that together constituted the double materiality analysis, where we together mapped both stakeholders and the value chain.
- Mapped and assessed significant sustainability issues at company level and then consolidated at group level
- Assisted with documentation and compilation of the entire process and its results
- Conducted gap analyses and established action plans based on identified gaps
- Assisted in preparation for reporting according to the EU taxonomy, where we, among other things, analyzed and mapped economic activities and developed a gap analysis for social minimum protection measures
Throughout the work, the goal has been to build a robust and anchored process that makes Proton Group independent and prepared for both today’s and future demands.
Our collaboration
The process has been a close and iterative collaboration between us and Proton Group’s project group, which consisted of the Group’s Sustainability Manager, CFO and representatives from the subsidiaries. At various stages in the process, we have involved more employees through training and workshops to ensure both knowledge and commitment in the organization. We believe that Proton has appointed a project group that takes responsibility for driving the work forward and anchoring it in the organization has been a major success factor.
The work has been flexible and adapted to the lessons and insights we have gained along the way. We have continuously identified what should be managed at the group level and what the individual companies themselves should take ownership of. Structure and details have gradually evolved as the group has found its own way forward.
“Working with the Hållbarhetsteamet helps us stay on track with our sustainability reporting efforts and gives us valuable insight into the benefits and opportunities in the field. Simply put, Hållbarhetsteamet helps us at Proton get closer to our vision, which is to make a positive difference. “
Proton’s impressive approach & commitment
What has really stood out in this assignment is Proton Group’s high level of commitment and willingness to take ownership of the process. The project group has taken great responsibility between the reconciliations, both by booking their own work meetings, delegating tasks and driving the work forward. This has resulted in Proton Group owning their process, and in developing a deep understanding of CSRD.
“To get the positive effect of the CSRD work, that is, to accelerate activity and change, it is super important for us to create good understanding and insight through clear ownership and drive.”
Results & next steps
Although the work is not yet complete, Proton has already come a long way. With the help of an action plan, tools for mapping key figures and an outline template for the reporting itself, work continues to begin reporting and close various gaps.
As the work is extensive, it has become important to prioritize measures and areas for development, something we at Hållbarhetsteamet have been able to assist with. The next steps include calculations of KPIs according to the EU taxonomy, a workshop on strategy and sustainability, and development of due diligence work in the value chain.
“We have received valuable help from Hållbarhetsteamet in prioritizing and staying on track. The collaboration has also given us challenging and inspiring input that makes us better. We have truly found a partner for developing and sustainable collaboration to continue to hold hands for ongoing and future challenges. “
We look forward to continuing the collaboration and supporting Proton Group all the way to reporting, and thereafter in the ongoing improvement work that sustainability work entails.
