Aim(s)/Target(s)
With the aim to make a sustainability inventory of the three Production Centres E+H Flowtec AG (CH), E+H Maulburg GmbH + Co. KG (DE), and E+H Wetzer GmbH + Co. KG (DE), the team set forth to find a suitable methodology and locate the key-persons at the respective companies. A questionnaire covering the three sustainability dimensions (economic, ecological, and social) served as the basis for the conducted qualitative Interviews with key-position holders in each company (15 Interviews in total). Priority was set on identifying the mechanisms, strategies, systems, and tools in place at the companies fitting into the idea of a sustainable management.

Object of research
Three E+H Production Centres (PCs). PCs are presumed to have the biggest impacts on the ecological and social environment, in which the Endress+Hauser Group operates. The three chosen PCs add most value to the corporation by means of production and cover the whole spectrum of goods, which are being marketed by the Endress+Hauser Sales centres (SCs).

Project procedure
The project procedure is divided in three project phases:

(1) information (re)-production
(2) information analysis
(3) reporting.

Results/ Outcomes
With a focus on the management systems, the environmental and social footprints, organizational learning, as well as health & safety, a comparative overview of the three investigated organizations was realised during the analysis and comparison of the outcomes of the qualitative interviews.
As expected, the balancing act of the three sustainability dimensions constitutes a problem in all companies. How this balancing act could possibly be implemented in all processes and operations of the companies in a systematic way, demands strategic planning and discussions on top-management level. However, the transformation into a sustainable company does not mean a complete restructuring of the management systems for the E+H companies, but rather an adaptation. Though the quality management system of Flowtec as well as Maulburg is, so far, predominantly focusing on the quality of products and processes, E+H Wetzer has already taken a step further in the direction of sustainable management with its EFQM system. By taking a holistic approach and including all processes and services (Wetzer), the basic perspective in this aspect is virtually the same. Nevertheless, the balancing act is still to be mastered by all three companies. Not forgetting or diminishing all the efforts taken in both the ecological and social dimensions in terms of extensive investments and measures in enhancing the organizational learning and knowledge base as well as in improving the health and safety of both the work-place and the surrounding environment. In E+H Flowtec a focus is put on decreasing the environmental and social footprint. By implementing routines and management systems for controlling and securing its surroundings, the company makes efforts to take their responsibility. In E+H Maulburg is the environmental management system a focus point. Being the first large production centre of the E+H Holding, and with an early focus on environmental issues, the E+H Maulburg environmental policy and management system serves as the prototype for the group wide environmental policy.