Commitment to the environment and society

To save energy, we recover heat: Our buildings are heated using waste heat from our machines. Energy-efficient LED lighting and electricity from renewable sources help to further reduce our ecological footprint. In addition, we systematically reduce any hazardous waste resulting from our production processes and continuously optimize our recycling. At our headquarters in Niederönz, we cover almost all of our heating requirements using the waste heat from our laser cutting machines.

The modernization of the outer shell of our Factory Hall 1 in 2019 resulted in further improvements. The insulated flat roof reduces energy consumption in winter and the green roof keeps the factory cool in summer. In this way, we also provide an additional habitat for insects and relieve the strain on the surrounding watercourses during heavy downpours.

Bystronic’s carbon footprint at its Swiss headquarters in Niederönz was assessed for the first time in 2019. The audit of the Bystronic Laser and Bystronic Sales business divisions made it clear that only a small proportion of our greenhouse gas emissions is caused directly by the company itself or by the energy we purchase. More than 95 percent of our emissions occur in the upstream and downstream value chain. The first-ever greenhouse gas audit provides a quantitative basis enabling us to optimize emissions at our other business locations and thus represents a milestone for our sustain­abil­ity efforts in the fields of energy and climate change.

Compared to conventional CO₂ systems, Bystronic’s fiber laser cutting systems offer a significantly higher energy efficiency: They generate three times the output with the same electricity consumption.

Our press brakes’ Energy Saver feature functions in a similar way to the automatic start-stop systems in cars: The main engine only starts when the machine is actually in operation. This reduces the energy consumption of Bystronic bending machines by up to 60 percent.

Bystronic’s laser cutting systems minimize waste. When generating cutting plans, our software applies advanced nesting methods to make optimal use of the raw material.

Bystronic grants pre-owned machines a new lease of life: We repurchase pre-owned systems from our customers and give them a comprehensive overhaul. The reconditioned second-hand machines contribute towards achieving a circular economy and help conserve the environment as well as our customers’ finances.

Bystronic currently gives 104 apprentices the opportunity to actively shape their future and to work at Bystronic in a bridge year after completing their apprenticeship. We align our business model with the future and offer employees long-term prospects around the globe. In doing so, we invest a great deal in the promotion of junior staff and talent.

To promote diversity, Bystronic launched a "Women's Week" campaign and gave our female employees worldwide a platform to discuss the topic. Bystronic offers inspiring women in the company the opportunity to share their professional experiences and pass on tips. Organizational diversity is an important driver for innovation - one of Bystronic's values and a key factor for business success.

Innovation, Commitment, and Openness are Bystronic's three corporate values. Between 2018 and 2019, One Bystronic workshops were held worldwide to strengthen these values and develop a uniform understanding of them. Following this, the "Living The Values" campaign was launched in 2019. In this campaign, Bystronic employees demonstrate in an authentic way how these values are lived and thus also inspire others.