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com / Perfect Welding / Solar Energy / Perfect Charging /1

FRONIUS EARTH MISSION

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2016

GREEN THINKING
GREEN THINKING
/ Gemeinsam. Nachhaltig.
2 / 
 /3

© Fronius International GmbH

Version 02/2017
Facility Safety
Prepared by: Katrin Helmberger and Markus Zauner
Content orientation: GRI, G4

/ The masculine form has been used in the text for legibility reasons, but of course the information refers to people of both
sexes.
/ Fronius reserves all rights, in particular rights of reproduction, distribution and translation. No part of this document may
be reproduced, in any form whatsoever, or stored, processed, duplicated or disseminated with the aid of electronic systems,
without the written consent of Fronius. You are hereby reminded that the information published in this document, despite
the greatest care being exercised in its preparation, is subject to change and that neither the author nor Fronius can accept
any legal liability.
 /5

CONTENTS

01. Corporate 8 06. Employees and community 38

1.1 Management board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 6.1 Workforce. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
1.2 The company´s core values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 6.2 Service for employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
1.3 Fronius: Leading the way for over 70 years. . . . . . . . . 9 6.3 Dialogue and exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
1.4 Company figures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 6.4 Year-end party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
1.5 Sustainable site development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 6.5 Environmental experts at fronius kinderland . . . . . 41
1.6 Subsidiary feature: Fronius USA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 6.6 Corporate social responsibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
6.7 Long night of research. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
02. Sustainability 14 6.8 Workplace ergonomics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
2.1 Understanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 6.9 Skills management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
2.2 Statements on sustainability at Fronius . . . . . . . . . . 14 6.10 Apprenticeships at Fronius. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
2.3 Management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 6.11 Represtentation of interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
2.4 Fronius values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.5 Report content and key aspects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 07. Energy and the environment 44
7.1 24 hours of sun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
03. Business areas 20 7.2 Fronius MyStrom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
3.1 Three Business Units, one passion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 7.3 Sustainable use of resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
3.2 Subsidiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
3.3 Markets and customers we supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 08. Notes 50

04. Research and development 28

4.1 Product development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
4.2 Sustainable products and services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.3 Sustainability through
the long service life of our products . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
4.4 Employee participation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

05. Supply Chain 34

5.1 Strategic orientation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
5.2 Supplier management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
5.3 Sustainable supply chain management. . . . . . . . . . . 35
6 / 
 /7

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
8 / Corporate

01. Corporate
/ A passion for new technologies, intensive research and revolutionary solutions have been
shaping the Fronius brand since 1945. As the technology leader, we find, develop and
implement innovative methods to monitor and control energy for welding technology,
photovoltaics and battery charging.

/ Our brand strategy is to forge new paths, try something

difficult and succeed where others have failed in achieving
what seems to be impossible. But these are not the only rea-
sons why Fronius is the global innovation and technology
leader. We have a clear vision, an unremittingly inventive
spirit and an ingrained sense of quality, so we can keep shift-
ing the limits of what is possible and set the trends that
change the market. In the Perfect Welding Business Unit, we
direct our attention to generating the perfect arc to ensure
consistently high welding quality. The focus for our Solar
Energy and Perfect Charging Business Units is to have a re-
liable and comprehensive supply of energy – 24 hours a day.
The advanced technology and sheer quality of the innovative / Left to right: Thomas Herndler, Volker Lenzeder, Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-
products of the Fronius brand have filled people with enthu- Strauss, Herbert Mühlböck

siasm for generations, inspiring confidence, trust and satis-

faction. Their sustainability is impressive, they boost produc- closely with our customers, fostering a spirit of innovation
tivity, increase energy yields and also reduce operating costs. in Perfect Welding, Solar Energy and Perfect Charging, and
They help our customers to make significant progress and ensuring economic independence are our goals.
lay the foundations for growth and successful development.
Fronius has 28 subsidiaries on four continents – yet we are 1.2 The company´s core values
still the same owner-managed company we have always been, / Compassion and respect: Every Fronius employee is part
combining the values of a family business with regional roots, of the whole. It is important to us to emphasise the spirit of
with the visions of a global brand. cooperation. Treating each other politely and with respect is
a quality we value above all else.
1.1 Management board
/ Fronius already has 70 varied and exciting years behind it. / Technology and innovation: We strive to constantly devel-
The reasons for its ongoing outstanding performance are op powerful processes and leading products for our custom-
obvious to the Management Board – Fronius has never lost ers. Technology and innovation are also reflected in our in-
sight of its goal: to get ahead. frastructure and work environment.
The Management Board has clearly defined its mission: to
continue strengthening the enjoyment and enthusiasm of / Flexibility and stability: Fronius is a family-owned compa-
every Fronius colleague in everything that they do. Working ny with traditional values, yet still attaches great importance
to development. Three Business Units offer the greatest pos-
Finance
sible job security, and we are mindful of the environment
Human Resources Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß (CEO / CFO)
needed to satisfy the demands of modern everyday working
Business Units
life.
Manufacturing
Thomas Herndler (CTO)
R&D Technologies
/ Opportunity and an international character: Fronius sup-
Corporate Services Volker Lenzeder (CIO)
ports its employees with their continued professional devel-
Supply Chain Management Herbert Mühlböck (COO)
opment and offers a variety of opportunities for change – just
 Corporate / 9

like the company itself, which has become a global player

over the last few decades.

1.3 Fronius:
Leading the way for over 70 years
Shifting the limits – right from the start
/ When Günter Fronius developed the first battery charging
system in 1945, he laid the foundations for what Fronius as
a company has represented for over 70 years: the constant
search for pioneering solutions to the technical challenges
/ An interview with our founder Günter Fronius can be found at
of the times. Ever since these early days here at Fronius we www.fronius.com/wieallesbegann
have been exploring new technologies for converting and
controlling electrical energy. That amounts to over seven
decades of experience, progress and continuous innovation.

A global family-run enterprise – with strong values

/ During the Company’s internationalisation and develop-
ment of new markets for Fronius battery charging technol-
ogy, welding technology and solar electronics, our desire
never changed: to be the technology and quality leader.
Today we export roughly 89 percent of our products through
our 28 international Fronius companies and sales partners/
representatives in more than 60 countries. With over 1200
granted patents, we are the global innovation leader.

Healthy business – excellent credit rating

/ We at Fronius think in terms of sustainable growth, not / Klaus Fronius, Managing Director since 1980 together with his
quarterly figures. We are not motivated by share prices, but sister Brigitte Strauss. He moved to the Company’s Supervisory
Board from 2012 to 2015.
by exciting innovations. In contrast to listed companies, we
are not governed by any compulsion for short-term profit
maximisation. This enhances our strength and stability. Dun
& Bradstreet (D&B) therefore assigned a best-possible risk
indicator of 1 to Fronius in 2016, which firmly underlines
our responsible use of resources.

/ Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß, CEO/CFO

10 / Corporate

1993 2005
/ Worldwide launch of / Launch of Active
the first primary Inverter Technology.
switched inverter / Launch of CMT 2013
battery charging 1995 (Cold Metal Transfer). / Launch of the first
systems. / Launch of the first series production fuel
grid-connected photovol- cells for intralogistics. 
taic inverter: Sunrise.

1998
1981 / Worldwide launch of the first
2007
/ HyLOG (hydrogen-powered
/ Worldwide launch of the first primary digitally controlled MIG/MAG
logistics).
transistor-switched inverter power power sources. Beginning of the
source: the TransArc 500 “Digital Revolution”.

1.4 Company figures Pettenbach

/ Fronius is based in Pettenbach, where the company was first
CORPORATE FIGURES AS OF 31.12.2016
founded. Covering an area of 6,000 m², it is the centre of ex-
Exports 89 %
cellence for Fronius welding torches as well as finance & in-
Employees 3.817
ternal auditing. The buildingʼs façade is clad with semi-trans-
Apprentices 103
parent photovoltaic modules with rear ventilation, which are
Patents granted 1.242
positioned in front of the main building shell. These modules
International Fronius companies 28
reduce the amount of direct sunlight reaching the building,
Sales partners/representatives In more than 60 countries
thereby minimising the cooling load. By generating our own
energy on site, we are able test the inverters we produce in
1.5 Sustainable site development the building’s own systems.
/ As early as the design phase for new premises, sustainability
is already a key consideration alongside traditional architec-
tural features. Alternative sources of energy, heating and cool-
ing systems are all part of this approach.

Innsbruck Wien

/ Aerial view of the Pettenbach site

Salzburg Pettenbach

Sattledt
/ The production and logistics site of the company is located
Wels Sattledt
in Sattledt. Since 2007, all battery charging systems, welding
Thalheim Steinhaus systems and solar inverters have been produced here on a site
more than 100,000 m² in size. One of the largest roof-mount-
ed photovoltaic systems in Austria, with a module area of
3,600 m², can be found on the Sattledt building. The siteʼs
/ Sites in Austria heating needs are covered by a biomass-fired combined heat
 Corporate / 11
2013 2014
/ Global launch of the / Launch of the SnapINverter generation
Intelligent Revolution – the with innovative mounting system – can be
TPSi platform with used everywhere from a family home to a
individually customisable large-scale system
and upgradeable devices.
2014
/ The Fronius Symo
Hybrid is the individual
2013 storage solution for 24
/ Launch of the first hours of sun.
2013 MMA welding system 2014
/ Market launch of the with high-performance / Arrival of the first
innovative Ri charging lithium-ion battery. charging, safety and
process, which reinvents battery changing modules
the way that batteries are for intralogistics charging
charged. technology.

and power plant and two geothermal systems, making it to- generation, geothermal fields and the systematic re-use of
tally CO2 neutral. waste heat from the test laboratories.

Wels
/ The Wels site, which was opened in 1990, extends over
17,000 m² and is the starting point for the international ac-
tivities of all three Fronius Business Units.
The active energy design, photovoltaic system and modern
environmental technologies ensure that as much energy as
possible is yielded to meet the site’s own requirements.

/ Aerial view of the Sattledt site

Thalheim bei Wels

/ Thalheim is the Company’s Research & Development Centre.
Its special features include photovoltaic electricity and heat

/ Aerial view of the Thalheim site / The historic brick buildings were modernised to make them energy efficient,
allowing them to be retained.
12 / Corporate

/ Aerial view of the Wels site / The buildingʼs heating and cooling requirements are covered by a combina-
tion of geothermal energy and solar power.

/ Part of the façade has been turned into a Green Vertical Garden. / The many green spaces create a harmonious overall picture.

Steinhaus
/ Steinhaus is home to the Repair Center International (RCI). An area in excess of 4,000 m² provides the ideal location for the
efficient repair of products and equipment. There is also a separate building in Steinhaus dedicated exclusively to the produc-
tion of automation components.

/ Steinhaus sites
 Corporate / 13

1.6 Subsidiary Feature: Fronius USA

/ Corporate Social Responsibility is a huge part of Fronius globally. Many of our subsidiaries are involved in charitable donations,
supporting their community, volunteering and office sustainability measures for a greener tomorrow. Fronius’s value of sus-
tainability is a pillar of our corporate culture and aligns with building a better, stronger community in which we do business.
Fronius USA is a great example of this culture.

/ Since starting Fronius HOPE (Helping Others Providing Energy) in 2015, Fronius USA has contributed to several communi-
ty volunteer events and programs. Fronius HOPE is made up of a committee of representatives from each department to help
chose volunteer initiatives, sponsorship and donations. This ensures an overall engaged organization in corporate philanthropy.

/ Since its inception, Fronius HOPE has increased recycling efforts in the warehouse and offices, up to 80% of waste is recycled.
These efforts result in additional revenue that in turn supports the committee with their philanthropic activities. Staff are paid
for their volunteer time at two Fronius HOPE sponsored events annually, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. On an addition-
al regular basis, Fronius HOPE also does ancillary events and donation drives.

/ Fronius HOPE’s mission is to provide energy to the community through volunteerism, and mainly focuses on our future
generation-children. The committee, since 2015, has packed over 500 backpacks for impoverished children, helped build an
all-inclusive playground, removed invasive species from preservations, helped build a home for an area veteran, hosted food
drives, provided bingo for an elderly home, collected coats for homeless shelters and most recently working on STEM education
program.

/ Fronius HOPE has donated funds and product to many organizations as well, including the national organization Grid Alter-
natives to help support solar adoption in impoverished communities.

/ Fronius USA Helps Build Home for a Veteran in Need / Hopi Permaculture Native American
Reservation Installation
14 / Sustainability

02. Sustainability
/ Fronius places great importance on a sustainable approach to the use of energy and re-
sources. Environmental awareness is one of our main corporate values.

2.1 Understanding / We also enforce an internal regulatory framework and

/ At Fronius, sustainable development means giving the same endeavour to constantly improve – and monitor the ef-
consideration to environmental and social factors as econom- fectiveness of – our environmental protection measures.
ic factors. Building a sustainable economy thus means that
our priority must be to leave our children and grandchildren / As far as is economically possible, we also strive towards
an intact ecological, social and economic structure. the long-term improvement of our environmental perfor-
mance through constant reduction and prevention of
environmental pollution.
ECOLOGY

/ Our managers lead by example and ensure the transfer
of knowledge among our staff.

SUSTAINABILITY / Organisational precautions for environmental emergen-

cies are in place.
ECONOMY SOCIETY
/ We are constantly refining the environmental and ener-
gy management system and use synergies with our exist-
ing management systems.
In order to systematically monitor environmental aspects at
the company and steadily improve our performance, an envi- Within the framework of the environmental management
ronmental management system according to ISO 14001 has system, environmentally friendly behaviour is encouraged
been introduced and certified. The overriding objective is to among employees, the environmental objectives we set for
promote environmental protection and to prevent environ- ourselves are achieved, emissions such as solid waste and waste
mental pollution. water are reduced, and customer and regulatory requirements
are fulfilled.
THE BINDING ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY SUMMARISES THE
UNDERSTANDING OF SUSTAINABILITY AT FRONIUS AND GIVES 2.2 Statements on sustainability at Fronius
US A CLEAR DIRECTION TO ACHIEVE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL / Sustainability is highly valued and applied in the individual
OBJECTIVES: departments:

/ “Our products and services are meaningful and sustain- Gerald Aigner, Research & Development:
able. We improve performance for users and end consum- “When developing our products and services, we make decisions
ers through better welding processes, while our work in on a daily basis that determine the long-term ecological foot-
the field of sustainable energy helps to protect the planet’s print of Fronius to a significant extent. In full knowledge of this
resources. Through our efforts, we deliver a higher qual- great responsibility, we use our influence to shape a world fit
ity of life and ensure that our children can be proud of for the future and worth living in.”
the decisions that we have made.
Matthias Uhl, Finance & HR:
/ It is our goal to bring ecology and economy into balance “Sustainability means supporting our employees with their con-
and to promote environmental protection across all our tinuous development on an individual basis. Well-trained em-
areas of activity. ployees in all departments contribute to the development of the
organisation, sustainably tackle the challenges they face in
/ The relevant legislation and regulations are observed. different situations in life and at work, and are therefore at the
 Sustainability / 15

heart of our company. This enables us to make our cooperation Markus Zauner, Facility Management:
a lasting economic and ecological success that fosters social “The holistic and sustainable development and maintenance of
togetherness.” buildings over their total life cycle is one of the key tasks of
Facility Management. By implementing innovative, need-based
Hannes Grammerstätter, Manufacturing Area: solutions when designing room interiors, it’s possible to create
“We constantly develop resource-conserving manufacturing the ideal working environment for our employees in a resource-
processes through optimisation and standardisation. Using and energy-efficient manner and to enhance the feel-good fac-
intelligent production control, we avoid unnecessary expendi- tor, while also saving money by optimising the use of space.”
ture on storage, rotating stocks and the movement of material.
By manufacturing high-quality products, we also ultimately Herbert Mühlböck, Supply Chain Management:
ensure the sustainability of the subsequent product life cycle!” “In its efforts to uphold sustainable business activities, Fronius
considers the economic, ecological and social aspects. Integrat-
Klaus Kramler, Division Marketing SE: ing these three aspects of sustainability into a sustainable busi-
“With our vision of 24 hours of sun, we are pursuing the goal ness model, both internally as well as externally with our part-
of achieving an energy supply based solely on renewable sourc- ners, is one of the strategic directions of the Fronius supply
es. This requires new technologies and business models, etc. and chain. Sustainability should therefore not be considered as a
it is our ambition to develop them. In order to achieve this, we marketing tool, but instead as an integrated component of all
need a stable financial basis, which is why sustainability at the Company’s business areas, which in turn makes sustainable
Fronius also means economic sustainability. After all, only sound action and procurement over the entire value-added chain a
financial management and a high level of profitability enables fundamental factor in the supply chain. This integration lays
Fronius to repeatedly make the investments required to produce the foundations for the lasting success of a business model.”
the solutions for the energy revolution.”

/ Our conscientious use of resources and our understanding of sustainable development is also reflected in numerous ma-
terials and publications:

24hoursofsun.com Information sheet for 24 hours of sun The Fronius Way III
We believe in a future in which we cover Climate change caused by human activity We are committed to our society and the
100% of our global energy requirements is a real threat to us all; of that we are cer- environment.
using renewable energy sources. tain. It is our responsibility to counter this
threat. Solar Energy press release
R&D strategy The switch to renewable energy is inevita-
Our products are models of reliability, The Fronius Way III ble for modern industrial societies.
efficiency and eco-friendliness. We are playing our part in taking care of
the worldʼs resources. Fronius as an employer
The Fronius Way III Fronius performs a balancing act between
Our products and services are meaningful Digital Transformation @ Fronius: economy and ecology. This is where people
and sustainable. Creating a worthwhile future together and pool their energy to help improve the fu-
having the courage to change. ture.
16 / Sustainability

2.3 Management systems

/ To fulfil and further develop the high standards we set for ourselves, different management systems are followed:

ISO 9001 ISO 14001 OHSAS 18001

/ Fronius has been certified to the ISO / Fronius strives not just to comply with / As part of an external audit in May
9001 quality standard since 1993. Qual- environmental standards but to exceed 2014, Fronius received certification ac-
ity is at the heart of everything that every them. Whenever possible, we go above cording to OHSAS 18001 for its Occupa-
department of the company does. Quality and beyond the legal requirements, espe- tional Health and Safety Management
awareness is a key Fronius value that is cially where systems, processes and sites System. Occupational health and safety
based on the Fronius Way and instilled are concerned. has always been of paramount impor-
in all employees, safeguarding the quality To support this environmental under- tance among the Fronius values and busi-
of products and processes alike. For us, standing, our production sites employ a ness strategy. A safe working environ-
quality is configuring products and pro- certified environmental management ment, healthy staff and continuously
cesses in line with demand, as well as system according to ISO 14001. introducing new measures for improve-
satisfying the requirements of our cus- Energy aspects are ascertained and eval- ment are critical to the ongoing develop-
tomers and interface partners. uated within the scope of energy manage- ment of the company and a subsequent
ment, before being integrated into the increase in quality.
environmental management system. This
allows us to ensure that the requirements
of the Federal Energy Efficiency Act [Bun-
desenergieeffizienzgesetz] are met.

Fronius commits to the following principles relating to the Fronius is committed to the following guidelines in order to
health and safety of employees: live up to high quality standards in terms of products and
services:
/ The health and safety of our staff and service providers
are important to us and make a significant contribution / We always ensure that the quality of our products and
to the success of Fronius as a company. services lives up to the demands that are made of us world-
wide and is validated appropriately. This allows us to
/ Acting responsibly and independently is an integral part achieve optimum benefit for our customers and ensure
of our corporate culture and helps us to achieve our oc- we make an effective contribution to long-term commer-
cupational health and safety goals. cial success.

/ Our managers lead by example and ensure the transfer / Our managers lead by example and ensure the transfer
of knowledge among our staff. of knowledge among our staff. Ongoing training allow us
to develop and grow while guaranteeing continued access
/ The effectiveness and suitability of newly introduced to knowledge and expertise.
measures are constantly monitored to identify areas for
improvement. Organisational precautions for emergencies / All staff are aware of their responsibility for quality and
are communicated. act accordingly. As a result, we support optimum product,
process and service quality for both hardware and soft-
/ The prevailing legislation and regulations concerning ware components.
occupational health and safety are promptly incorporated
into all our technical, commercial and social considera- / Our knowledge of the significance of transdisciplinary
tions. cooperation guides us in the shaping of our processes. We
/ We are constantly refining the occupational health and think and act along the lines of process orientation, which
safety management system and use synergies with our allows us to achieve optimum overall results.
existing management systems.
 Sustainability / 17

/ We plan quality targets on the basis of established re- 2.4 Fronius values
quirements for our products, processes and services. Key
figure systems help us to identify non-conformances.

/ When conflicts arise concerning quality, cost and dead- FRONIUS WERTE
lines, we make decisions from an overall business perspec- / Das ist uns wertvoll:

tive and consciously weigh up the potential risks. / Gemeinschaft

/ Innovation

/ Nachhaltigkeit

/ We work constructively with non-conformances. We learn

/ Wirtschaftlichkeit

/ Qualitätsbewusstsein

from them, develop and hence work to improve our prod-

ucts, processes and services. WIR LIEBEN
WAS WIR TUN!

FW III_Werte_40x50.indd
1

28.01.2014 07:25:37

/ We are constantly refining the quality management sys- / “Fronius Way III – Values”

tem and use synergies between our existing management

systems. Solidarity
/ The way people at Fronius work together and the way in which
The environmental and energy policy, the occupational health we work with our customers and partners is characterised by
and safety policy and the quality policy are all based on our mutual trust and respect. The energy and the potential that we
corporate principles and have been formulated in close coop- need in order to develop come from our people themselves, in
eration with the Management Board. their knowledge, their skills, their attitude and their motivation.
We value diversity, we complement one another perfectly with
Potential risk factors are taken very seriously at Fronius. In the many different skills and abilities that each individual
particular, we focus primarily on the protection of infrastruc- contributes, and we continually develop our peoples’ personal
ture facilities and IT security. and professional potential. When working together we set great
In 2016, a separate staff position was set up for the evaluation store by honest communication, achieving a jointly agreed
and handling of any risks that arose. The operability of the consensus, tolerance, a healthy feedback culture and striking
infrastructure and reduction in operational downtime are work a good balance between rules and leeway.
priorities for this staff position. Furthermore, sensitisation of
staff to matters such as cybercrime takes precedence – proactive Innovation
training on how to deal correctly with cyber attacks is offered / Innovation is fun and forms part of our corporate culture. We
in this regard. are spurred on by developing and applying new, revolutionary
technologies and processes. We draw our energy from the re-
sults of these innovations. Our innovations bring benefits and
fill our customers – and us – with enthusiasm. Innovations are
the engine powering our continued existence.

Sustainability
/ We work sustainably. Our products and services are mean-
ingful and sustainable. We improve performance for users and
end consumers through better welding processes, while our
work in the field of sustainable energy helps to protect the
planet’s resources. Through our efforts, we deliver a higher
quality of life and ensure that our children can be proud of the
decisions that we have made. We are committed to protecting
our community and our environment.
18 / Sustainability

Cost effectiveness
/ In order that we can carry on working on the solutions that
inspire us, it is important for us to maintain our business in-
dependence. We achieve this by being economical and by work-
ing consistently profitably in each of our fields of action.

Quality consciousness
/ We always ensure that the quality of our products and servic-
es lives up to the demands that are made of us worldwide.

These values form part of the current Fronius Way III strategy
paper. The Management Board are responsible for preparing

and updating the content, which then forms the basis for all
other internal guidelines and codes of conduct.
 
 

/ Materiality matrix

fluence matrix” and then grouped the stakeholders. Our most

important stakeholders include our employees, the Manage-
ment Board, customers and suppliers, development and sales
partners, and official bodies.
A variety of events and arenas allow Fronius to establish reg-
ular dialogue with its stakeholders. The CIP (Continuous Im-
provement Process) represents a very successful way of regu-
/ Welcome brochure & code of conduct at the sites
larly, consistently and sustainably improving our processes and
products.
The corporate values are communicated by line managers and
distributed in hard copy to every new employee during their / To observe and assess oneʼs own work procedures critically
first few days at Fronius. and not to be satisfied with what has been achieved – that in
a nutshell is what CIP is all about.
2.5 Report content and key aspects The Continuous Improvement Process is a useful tool for col-
/ In order to determine the topics relevant to Fronius, the core lecting suggestions in an organised manner, improving pro-
team for the sustainability report attended a workshop to iden- cesses and having a structured approach to solving identified
tify and assess the most important areas based on the list of problems. These are communicated, tackled and implemented
aspects in version G4 of the Global Reporting Initiative. These together as a team, however big or small – from the design of
topics are shown in the materiality matrix and discussed in the workplace, product improvements and work procedures to
detail in the remainder of the report. annoying minor details

/ KVP – Continuous
/ The way people at Fronius work together and the way in which Improvement Process
we work with our customers and partners is characterised by
mutual trust and respect. When working together we set great
store by honest communication, achieving a jointly agreed
consensus, tolerance and a healthy feedback culture.

The core team for the sustainability report identified the rele-
vant stakeholders, displayed the result in an “Interest and in-
 Sustainability / 19

The knowledge and experience of employees are important to

shared success. At Fronius, further development means con-
stantly scrutinising existing processes and workflows and play-
ing an active part in driving forward new developments.
In 2015, over 30 teams in Austria worked on the continuous
further development of our processes and products.

In 2016, over 30 teams in Austria worked on the continuous

further development of our processes and products.
20 / Business areas

03. Business areas

/ We create new technologies and solutions for monitoring and controlling energy.

3.1 Three Business Units, one passion

/ Fronius is split into three separate divisions: Perfect Welding, Solar Energy and Perfect Charging. Between them the company
produces products and complete systems for the global welding technology market, inverters and storage systems for custom-
ers in the photovoltaics industry, and battery charging systems.

Perfect Welding
/ Fronius has been working since 1950 on developing inno- the customer are reduced to a minimum.
vative system solutions for arc welding and resistance spot Attention is paid to ensuring as long a service life as possible
welding. We have set ourselves the task of controlling, moni- for power sources right from the development stage. We en-
toring and saving energy in a targeted manner across the sure the best quality and durability by using particularly tough
various welding processes, so that our actions are sustainable materials. In addition to the forward-looking development
over the long term through working efficiently with our approach, the total life cycle of the devices is also taken into
world’s resources. The Perfect Welding Business Unit is now account – the products are designed to be energy efficient
the worldwide technology leader and European market leader. using the very latest technology and functions. If necessary,
Fronius develops individual solutions for special requirements; replacement parts can be supplied for decades. Economical
for the automotive industry, pipeline, ship and steel construc- use of resources is ensured in production and delivery as well.
tion, but also for workshops and tradespeople. The high-qual- The AccuPocket uses battery technology to store energy, thus
ity products and solutions, matched precisely to customer permitting largely autonomous welding. This results in a con-
requirements, impress through more than their efficiency and siderable improvement in mobility during manual welding.
economic properties alone. Welding systems from Fronius The “Intelligent Revolution” means that process upgrades are
stand for perfect process stability and the best performance, always possible, thereby making the devices extremely flexible
even under constantly changing external conditions. As a re- and equipping users to deal with a variety of demands. Froni-
sult, the level of rework and the failure rate experienced by us Virtual Welding not only permits hazard-free training for
 Business areas / 21

welding beginners, but also helps to save consumables such the most efficient system. Regular maintenance, safety inspec-
as metal, wire or shielding gas. WeldCube, our solution for the tions and calibrations considerably increase product service
documentation, reporting and monitoring of welding data, life. If production conditions or workflows change, Fronius
supports process optimisation efforts thanks to consumption welding systems can be adapted by means of process and
and reject analyses. parameter optimisations so that replacement is not necessary.
The perfectly coordinated service offering also contributes to
the efficient utilisation of our devices and careful use of re-
sources. Fronius offers individual services worldwide and
provides customers with optimum advice before they make
any purchase decisions. Our welding trials help with selecting

/ TPS/i 320i / Virtual Welding

22 / Business areas

Solar Energy
/ Fronius has been working in the field of renewable energy, When it comes to product design we also think about the long
and in particular solar power, since 1992. Over the years, term and always use state-of-the art technology for our devic-
Fronius Solar Energy has become much more than just an es. Fronius inverters are already fitted with all the necessary
inverter manufacturer. The Business Unit is currently one of basic components to incorporate future technologies with
the pioneers in the field of renewable energy. Under the mot- minimal effort. For example, our devices are compatible with
to “24 hours of sun”, Fronius is presenting its vision of a future upgradeable software platforms and are equipped with unused
without relying on fossil fuels. This is an energy strategy in slots in order to retrofit new features as needed. This is how
which only renewable sources are used to supply the popula- we ensure maximum electricity yields are achieved – today
tion with power. and tomorrow.
As a solar pioneer, Fronius focuses entirely on sustainability. The Fronius Energy Package allows any surplus energy pro-
It has become a central theme that characterises our company, duced by a photovoltaic system to be temporarily stored in a
from the management right through to product design and battery. The excess electricity is then available to supply the
technical support. With our efficient and resource-conserving household during the evening and at night.
solutions for generating, storing, distributing and consuming At Fronius, we believe in a future in which we cover 100% of
solar energy, we are making a valuable contribution to the our global energy requirements from renewable sources. Our
energy revolution. contribution towards this is to develop solutions and technol-
Our customers benefit from long-lasting, high-performance ogies that can be used to intelligently generate, store, distrib-
photovoltaic systems that meet the highest quality standards. ute and consume renewable energies with unprecedented
With our Fronius Service Partners and unique PC board re- (cost-) efficiency.
placement process, we offer customers the quickest on-site
service in the industry. Our reliable spare parts service, valid In order for 24 hours of sun to become a reality, we must all
for at least ten years after the product has been discontinued, make a concerted effort to optimise the use of energy, utilise
ensures faulty devices can be repaired quickly and easily, even synergies and design our energy systems as efficiently as pos-
if they have been in operation for many years. This not only sible to ensure renewable energy cannot be ignored. There is
saves time and money, but also conserves valuable resources. huge potential to be found in what is known as energy sector
 Business areas / 23

integration, combining the energy sectors of electricity, heat / Four-person household in

and mobility. Germany, with PV system

(5 kWp PV roof system,
ø yields 4.1 kWh/kWp)
/ Example: Sunny, slightly
cloudy day in May.
Until now, the energy revolution has primarily been a revolu-
tion in the electricity sector. The heat and mobility sectors are
still dominated by fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas. Through
the emergence of electric vehicles, oil is however rapidly being 20.5 kWh 1 kWh
27 km

2 E-Bikes
replaced by electricity. In the heat sector too, electricity gener-
5 kWh

2.5 kWh

ated from cheap solar power is also playing an ever-increasing 12 kWh

HEAT PUMP
role. 250 l HOT WATER

LOADS 1 E-CAR

At Fronius, we consider this development to be the basis for

the next big leap towards 100% renewables: the intelligent / Configuration diagram, energy sector integration
integration and control of the energy sectors electricity, mobil-
ity, and heat, and the use of the accompanying synergies. It is
our mission to provide the technologies needed; the solutions
needed already exist.
24 / Business areas

Perfect Charging
/ Fronius has been working with battery charging technology is a feature of their design. Thanks to the highly robust com-
since 1945 and develops battery charging systems for starter ponents and high manufacturing quality, the devices boast a
and traction batteries. long service life. The battery charging systems can also be
Customers from the intralogistics sector to the automotive upgraded with the latest software release using the USB inter-
industry have been impressed with the performance, efficien- face, allowing them to be used for years to come. What is more,
cy, cost effectiveness and sustainability of the custom systems the Selectiva battery charging systems are also compatible
and solutions we develop, which also help our customers cut with alternative drive technologies such as lithium-ion.
their costs significantly. Not only do we champion sustainability in our own operations,
Fronius Perfect Charging is a cost-optimisation partner for the we also encourage our customers to do the same. The innova-
charging of traction and starter batteries. Be it for the operation tive Ri charging process of our battery charging systems guar-
of electrically powered forklift trucks in intralogistics, or a antees users a gentle, energy-saving charging process for their
reliable power supply for starter batteries of vehicles in pro- batteries, which consequently do not need to be replaced as
duction plants, showrooms and workshops. Among countless often.
users around the world, Fronius technology is a byword for An increasing number of customers rely on the intelligent
the maximum availability of their vehicles and for a longer combination of solar energy and battery charging technology
battery life. – they have a PV system with Fronius inverters installed on
Famous automotive and forklift truck manufacturers together the roofs of their production halls and warehouses and use
with users across every sector have for decades put their faith some of the energy this generates to supply their forklift fleet.
in Fronius to optimise their battery charging processes.
By working closely with our customers and drawing on more
than seven decades of R&D experience, we provide complete
solutions tailored to their individual needs.
We place particular importance on sustainability for all our
process steps. For example, the Selectiva battery charging
systems are especially compact and minimal use of materials
 Business areas / 25

/ Acctiva battery charging systems for starter batteries / Using smart tools to reduce energy costs and CO2 emissions during
battery charging

/ Selectiva battery charging systems for traction batteries

26 / Business areas

3.2 Subsidiaries Türkei: Fronius Istanbul Elektronik,

/ A high level of importance is attached to internationalisation Ticaret ve Servis LTD. STI.
at Fronius. In addition to the parent company, Fronius Inter- Ukraine: Fronius Ukraine GmbH
national GmbH, with its ten domestic subsidiaries, the com- USA: Fronius USA LLC
pany is represented across the globe by 28 national subsidi- VAE: Fronius Middle East FZE
aries. Fronius production sites are located in Austria and the
Czech Republic. A network of sales and service partners in 3.3 Markets and customers we supply
more than 60 countries enables us to respond to the specific
needs of our customers. Perfect welding
/ Automotive Perfect charging
/ Robotics
/ Intralogistics
/ Automation
/ Workshops

Solar energy
/ Private systems
/ Small and medium-sized commercial systems

/ We identify with our customers, which allows us to offer

customised solutions. There are regular opportunities for di-
alogue at various events we host.
Australien: Fronius Australia Pty Ltd
Brasilien: Fronius do Brasil Comércio, Fronius customer days
Indústria e Serviços Ltda / For the second time already, all three Business Units – Perfect
China: Fronius (China) Trading Co. Ltd. Welding, Solar Energy and Perfect Charging – presented their
Fronius Hong Kong Limited product portfolio simultaneously at the customer days. Many
Dänemark: Fronius Danmark ApS visitors who had previously concentrated on products, tech-
Deutschland: Fronius Deutschland GmbH nologies and services from just one segment are taking the
Frankreich: Fronius France S.A.R.L. opportunity to gain an insight into the other Business Units
Greece Fronius International GmbH Sales & and pick up new ideas for their own companies. With this
Service-Team Greece & Cyprus event, Fronius focuses on regional added-value and sustainable
Großbritannien: Fronius U.K. Limited management of materials and waste. The 2016 customer days
Italien: Fronius Italia S.r.l. a Socio Unico were organised and certified as a »Green Meeting«.
Indien: Fronius India Private Limited / Invitation to the Fronius
Japan: Fronius Japan K.K customer days
VERANSTALTUNGSORT / Perfect Welding / Solar Energy / Perfect Charging
ausreichend
frankieren!

Vertrieb Österreich / Marketing

Fronius International GmbH
Bitte

Fronius International GmbH Telefon +43 7242 241-0

Fax +43 7242 241-953490
sales.austria@fronius.com

Froniusplatz 1 Fax +43 7242 241-953490

Telefon +43 7242 241-0

4600 Wels sales.austria@fronius.com

Österreich www.fronius.at
Perfect Welding

www.fronius.at
Froniusplatz 1

Kanada: Fronius Canada Ltd.

4600 Wels
Österreich

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Norwegen: Fronius Norge AS

/ Das Fronius-Areal liegt direkt neben dem Hauptbahn-
hof Wels und ist nur eine Gehminute entfernt.
/ Perfect Welding / Solar Energy / Perfect Charging

Froniusplatz

traße

Niederlande: Fronius Nederland B.V.

Dr.-Gross-S

EINLADUNG ZU
nstraße

Empfang
Magazi

DEN KUNDENTAGEN 2016

Österreich: Fronius International GmbH

/ Am 28. und 29. April 2016 bei Fronius in Wels
Bahnhofstraße

Schweiz: Fronius Schweiz AG

Slowakei: Fronius Slovensko s.r.o. Supplier day:
Spanien: FRONIUS España S.L.U. / The eighth instalment of the Fronius supplier day was this
Polen: Fronius Polska Sp. z o.o. year held with the motto »Fronius Preferred Supplier – Mas-
Thailand: Fronius (Thailand) Ltd. tering the future together!«. Delegates from 47 European sup-
Tschechien: Fronius Česká republika s.r.o. pliers accepted the invitation to join Fronius at the Sattledt
site for an exciting day of events. Together with the suppliers,
 Business areas / 27

/ The Fronius customer days, supplier day and

year-end party were held as certified Green Events!

As a Green Event organiser, we advocate for an environment worth living in and come up with innovative ideas
for conferences that do not compromise on quality. By organising Green Events, Fronius takes its social respon-
sibility seriously and contributes to environmental and climate protection.

important issues for the future were examined, awareness of Factory tours
current and future themes was raised and fascinating new / Over 6,300 visitors took part in guided tours of our sites in
ideas for future collaboration sprang forth. 2016. We are particularly proud of our apprentice guides, who
led more than 70 of these tours.
Publications in specialist media
/ Along with numerous publications in specialist media, Participation in trade fairs and conferences
a host of technical articles can also be accessed online. / Each year we exhibit our new products and services to our
customers and development partners at national and interna-
tional trade fairs and events.

/ Fronius trade fair stand expoEnergy Wels

28 / Research and development

04. Research and development

/ In Research & Development, we develop the products of tomorrow and the day after to-
morrow, as well as providing support for the developed systems through to series produc-
tion and market launch. We continue the development of existing products and adapt them
to special solutions for individual customers or customer groups. Now and again we work
in collaboration with well-known research institutes to develop totally new technologies.

4.1 Product development

/ The product development process at Fronius is split into defined phases and milestones to ensure the high quality of the
process result.

/ The graphic shows the individual elements of the product development process. The transition from one phase to the next is defined by what are known as
quality gates (QG). These ensure that specific requirements are fulfilled at defined times.

The output of the product development process is the required documentation for the production of a new product or
system.

Idea selection Concept phase

/ The idea selection phase is for evaluating and prioritising / The concept phase starts with the creation of the R&D project
new product ideas and forms the basis for initiating product order and the assembling of the project team. At this stage,
development projects. In order to exploit our creative potential the defined requirements are turned into technical concepts.
and our total sum of knowledge, every employee has the op- By the end of the concept phase, the technical and economic
portunity to bring their own ideas to the table and make their feasibility is ensured.
contribution to safeguarding our innovation leadership.
Detail phase
Requirements phase / During this phase, the detailed technical execution of the
/ During the requirements phase, the requirements of the entire system is developed and implemented based on the
product/system to be developed are determined from the cus- implementation concepts agreed on during the concept phase.
tomer’s perspective. The R&D department’s role in this phase The output from this phase includes an approved pre-produc-
is to generate ideas for technically superior solutions to prom- tion series sample, which is one of the basic requirements for
inent unfulfilled customer needs. the production of the pre-production series in the subsequent
project phase.
 Research and development / 29

Pilot phase Production ramp-up

/ The pilot phase is designed to ensure the technical maturity / During production ramp-up, the responsibility is handed over
of the product in relation to the requirements by producing to production, service and series support, and the R&D project
the pre-production series based on the pre-production series comes to an end.
sample. Internal tests and field tests are then performed on
the prototype devices. Technical reworking of the product is The balance between rules and leeway is considered particu-
carried out based on the results of these tests and, if necessary, larly important during product development and requires a
the tests are repeated. The development of the product is now high level of individual responsibility from all those involved.
complete.
The result of the development process in 2016 was an output
Pilot series volume of 18,384,536 products.
/ The pilot series serves to bring about the series production
of the product and the manufacturing/test equipment as well This output volume is divided into the following material con-
as to synchronise the product and equipment with one anoth- sumption figures:
er. Based on experiences from the pilot series, a decision is
made as to whether all the requirements have been met for the
test phase to begin.
MATERIAL CONSUMPTION MATERIALS USED
Test phase Unit 2016 2015
/ The purpose of the test phase is to ensure the productivity Overall material/raw material use t 16 718 13 799
and process reliability in series production. The production Semi-finished products % 74 62
department is supported with any remaining queries and em- Raw materials % 15 19
ployees are trained. In the production department, this phase Packaging % 7 14
is the point at which the production warehouse is filled by Auxiliary materials and supplies % 4 4
upstream production units and suppliers, employees are trained
and the final organisational preparations are made.

4.2 Sustainable products and services

/ The sustainability of our products and applications is reflected in numerous measures and product features.

Perfect welding
TransPocket 150 / 180
/ Reduced power consumption
/ Energy-saving thanks to automatic switching off of the
power source
/ Minimal losses when using long mains leads
/ Particularly robust, compact and durable housing
/ Efficient use of the available power
/ Function carrier inside the device to protect the individual
components and increase the service life

/ TransPocket 150/180
30 / Research and development

SOLAR ENERGY
Fronius Energy Package
/ Maximum self-consumption and maximum energy independ-
ence. Excess solar power can thus be used at times when
generating conditions are poor or non-existent. Consists of
the Fronius Symo Hybrid, Fronius Solar Battery and Fronius
Smart Meter.

Fronius Solar Battery

/ High-performance lithium iron phosphate technology, long
service life, 8,000 cycles.
/ Additional battery modules can be retrofitted within 30
/ Fronius Energy Package
months.
/ Battery from a quality manufacturer – long service life.
/ Fronius Service Partners can replace battery modules during
servicing.

Fronius Symo Hybrid

/ The three-phase inverter allows unused energy to be tempo-
rarily stored in the Fronius Solar Battery.
/ The integrated Multi Flow Technology provides intelligent
management of the various energy flows.
/ Fronius Service Partners can replace PC boards during ser-
vicing.

/ Fronius Symo Hybrid

Perfect Charging
Selectiva battery charging systems
/ Compact design with minimal use of materials
/ The Fronius Ri charging process ensures maximum energy
efficiency when charging traction batteries and maximises
their service life
/ High total efficiency of 84%
/ Software-supported advice with the I-SPoT Calculator and
I-SPoT Viewer
/ I-SPoT Calculator: savings calculation for investment and
operating costs
/ I-SPoT Viewer: reporting tool for data analysis and evaluation,
and operating cost optimisation 
/ Selectiva battery charging system with Ri charging process
 Research and development / 31

4.3 Sustainability through the long service life of our products

/ Fronius devices are thoroughly tested during stringent tests. Even while still under development, they are subjected to a range
of tests and inspections. The Compliance Engineering (CE) department ensures the products from all three Fronius Business
Units comply with market requirements and standards, and that they have a long service life even in harsh conditions.
The CE department supports the entire development process of a device – from the component through to the prototype.
As soon as the first prototype of a new device is ready, the Compliance Engineering department starts testing it out. In ad-
dition to electrical safety tests, mechanical tests – such as tensile and drop tests – are also performed.
Compliance Engineering goes a step further with its unique Fronius tests. As well as the industry-standard tests, the products
also undergo a range of additional tests. Despite harsh environmental conditions, our customers should continue to be sat-
isfied with our devices over the long term. Welding not only takes place in the garage, but also in the freezing cold of Alas-
ka or in the salty air of an offshore platform. Our inverters work just as well in hot and humid jungle climates as they do in
the desert. Our in-house test chambers simulate the most varied conditions to guarantee a high level of quality and a long
service life as early as the product development stage.
Once all the tests have been passed, our devices are given the CE mark – the EU passport for products. Following on from
this, the products also undergo testing by external testing institutions to ensure they meet varying global certification re-
quirements.

/ TCO / CE certification for all products / TÜV

/ UL – USA (fire safety) / CSA (Canada + USA) / CCC (China)

UV-RESISTANCE TEST
THE FRONIUS / Test: long-term exposure to strong, simulated
sunlight
ROBUSTNESS TESTS / Objective: service life of device in unprotected
environments

IMPACT TEST DURABILITY TEST

/ Test: impacts with a force of 10 Nm in de- / Test: fluctuations in temperature from -20° to
fined positions +100° C
/ Objective: resistance of housing to impacts, / Objective: device stressability, especially im-
especially important on building sites portant for outdoor installations

DROP WITHSTAND EMC TEST

/ Test: dropped from a defined height onto a / Test: investigation of the effects of radiation
solid surface and emissions in the frequency range 30 MHz
/ Objective: Housing integrity, resistance to to 1 GHz
breakage and electrical safety / Objective: compatibility with other electrical
systems, no mutual interference

DEGREE OF PROTECTION LOW TEMPERATURE PERFORMANCE

/ Test: sprayed with water / Test: extreme fluctuations in temperature and
/ Objective: housing protection (IP) for oper- humidity
ational and user safety / Objective: robustness of device in harsh envi-
ronments

DUST TEST SALT SPRAY TEST

/ Test: a fan blows fine talcum powder over / Test: exposed for several days to an extremely
the device salty spray mist
/ Objective: housing integrity in dirty envi- / Objective: corrosion resistance, particularly in
ronments coastal regions
32 / Research and development

4.4 Employee participation

/ Fronius is a family-owned company where people are passionate about their work, engage and network with one an-
other and strive to develop their personal capabilities. There are a variety of opportunities at Fronius to make the most
of what every individual has to offer and to ensure everyone gets involved.

Developer meetings
/ The employees of Fronius R&D meet annually to update each
other about ongoing development projects. All attendees are
invited to find out more about current projects, technologies
and future trends and to discuss these with their colleagues.
Questions, new ideas, suggestions for improvement – everyone
has the opportunity to provide input here. External partners
and fascinating keynote speakers also provide impetus.

CIP – Continuous Improvement Process

/ To observe and assess one’s own work procedures critically
and not to be satisfied with what has been achieved – that in
a nutshell is what CIP is all about. A lot has already been
achieved and implemented in the production facilities in Sat-
tledt, Pettenbach and Wels since CIP was introduced in 2004.
The CIP Oscar is awarded annually to the most successful team
so as to make the success of CIP services clear. By way of a
bonus, this award includes a preferred event for the entire
team.

Here are a few pictures from previous events:

 Research and development / 33

/ Lots of great ideas and initiatives – submitted by Fronius staff

– are implemented on a rolling basis. We would like to tell you
about a particular improvement relating to the careful use of
resources:

Cardboard bases are used on wooden pallets to protect com-

ponents from damage during internal transport. In the past,
most of this cardboard was disposed of after use. A committed
CIP team has collected up the undamaged cardboard and re-
used it. This measure has reduced cardboard waste by around
2000 kg.

/ Cardboard bases are collected for reuse.

34 / Supply Chain

05. Supply Chain

/ Within the Fronius Group, sustainability is a key consideration along the entire value-add-
ed chain. Sourcing and suppliers form an essential part of our focus.

5.1 Strategic orientation / The supply chain supports the company in its efforts to con-
/ We endeavour to supply the right product at the right time, serve resources and integrates suppliers in this process.
in the right quantity and the right condition, to the right place
for the right customer and at the right cost. 5.2 Supplier management

nagement Inte
Ma rf a
n
ai c
Ch

e
W
ly

he
Supp

el

/ Our task is to shape the relationship with suppliers.

Supplier risk management

The drivers behind our decisions / Supplier risk management is used to develop and stabilise
/ Energy and raw material prices are on the rise globally – a quality cooperation at a global level. We do this by perform-
major driver for sustainability lies in the supply chain. ing precise risk analyses, categorising our pool of suppliers,
/ Product life cycles are shorter – Fronius takes a considered assessing new partners and suppliers, qualifying our existing
approach to the selection and use of partners, technologies procurement network and evaluating our active suppliers.
and materials. When developing our new and existing partnerships with
/ Due to new levies, transport costs per kilometre are higher suppliers, we focus on a range of key sustainability aspects:
– intelligently networked control systems are a key element
of sustainable logistics. / Economic sustainability
/ Environmental regulations influence the market – Fronius is / Stable company management and organisational
already aligning its focus so that it is prepared for future structures
environmental regulations. / Strategic orientation (vision, mission, guiding principle)
  / Insurance
The basic conditions for our everyday actions (transport, interruption of business, product liability)
/ We believe it is important to work with suppliers that have / Financial stability (credit check)
a sound financial basis. / Data storage and compliance
/ When awarding external contracts, we pay particular atten- / Supplier management
tion to freight costs.
/ We set an example and take time for our customers, suppliers / Social sustainability
and interface partners. / Ethical principles (Corporate Social Responsibility)
/ Respect and appreciation are the hallmarks of the way we / Working conditions
deal with people. We feel it is important to develop relation- / Child labour, forced labour, human rights criteria
ships based on a spirit of partnership and trust. / Safety standards (OHSAS 18001)
/ We recognise trends in the supply chain early on. By devel- / Political situation
oping innovative and sustainable processes, we act as trend- / Technical facilities
setters for similar companies. (maintenance and repair, protection devices, etc.)
 Supply Chain / 35

/ Ecological sustainability globally of drivers of local purchasing activities. Currently, 47%

/ Ecological standards (ISO 14001, EMAS) of all materials are purchased domestically, 85% from the EU,
/ Transportation links (geographical regions, possibili- and they are all brought into the supply chain.
ties for sustainable logistics concepts)
/ Packaging (choice of material, reusable containers)
/ Hazardous substances (storage and delivery)
/ Conflict minerals (compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act)
/ Procurement strategy (geographical orientation)

Procurement market research

/ We expand our knowledge of the market through procure-
ment market research at an early stage. Strategic country
assessments and procurement market analyses make it easi-
er to reach decisions. Energy price and raw material develop- Human rights aspects/raw material mining methods
ments are taken into consideration. We assume responsibil- / In order to avoid financing ethically questionable raw mate-
ity for and take a sustainable approach to our procurement rial mining methods in developing countries, Fronius is a mem-
geography. ber of the “Conflict Minerals Platform”. Selected suppliers must
  also have a licence from this platform and provide information
Supplier day about the origin of raw materials for their products. When it
/ Each year we hold supplier days to help cement supplier comes to conflict minerals, suppliers are required to disclose
relationships. Different key topics are chosen and discussed, whether specific raw materials – such as gold, tantalum, etc.
depending on their pertinence and necessity. At the 2015 – are among the raw materials used in their products via an
supplier day, sustainability was a key focus. The following iPoint platform. The aim of this is to prevent raw materials
areas also helped shape the agenda: from conflict zones being used and indirectly financing civil
/ Preferred Supplier concept at Fronius: common approach wars (for example, Democratic Republic of the Congo).
to future procurement developments.
/ Digital added value: future business models and effects on Make-or-buy
the corporate world. / When it comes to “make-or-buy decisions”, we seek to strike
/ Trends & Wege Institute (roughly translated as “Trends & a good balance between in-house production and sourcing from
Approaches”): the importance of placing our society and outside. A key criterion for our decisions is a comparison of
the manufacturing industry on a sustainable footing. the strategic relevance against the necessary know-how and
/ Workshops: including “Carbon footprint in the supply cost effectiveness. The question of sustainability is an essential
chain”. decision-making aid in the form of diverse instruments and is
reflected in the following:
5.3 Sustainable supply chain management
We endeavour to supply the right product at the right time, / Use of resources
in the right quantity and the right condition, to the right place / Value-added share
for the right customer and at the right cost. / Environmental awareness
/ Social factors
Within the Fronius supply chain, we employ additional control / Quality consciousness
mechanisms that are designed to bring sustainability to the / Economic decision basis
entire value-added chain:
Preferred Supplier
Supplier network / Owing to changes in the economic world, current geopolitical
/ With a network of more than 1,300 active suppliers, Fronius developments and societal trends and demands, companies
has built a global supply chain and thus purchases from 28 have to be able to rely on their suppliers and partners. The
nations around the world. The Fronius supply chain is formed network Fronius has built is driven in a targeted direction.
36 / Supply Chain

Relationships with selected and preferred suppliers are As a result of this we see two positive outcomes and a signif-
strengthened so that we can expect the following influences icant impetus towards ecological and social sustainability:
and developments:
/ Reduction of CO2 emissions (Internet, server, data storage,
/ A guarantee that all the required criteria will be satisfied visits, transfer, logistics, goods shipments, etc.)
(see “Supplier management”) / Strengthening of companies that demonstrate reputable
/ Less input required for supplier management economic conduct (sociopolitical standards)
/ Data exchange made easier

© mindscanner - Fotolia
Supply Chain / 37
38 / Employees and community

06. Employees and community

/ Fronius is a family enterprise where people work enthusiastically and put their hearts
into the job; where they swap ideas and exchange views; where they network, and con-
tinually develop their personal skills.

6.1 Workforce
/ With their knowledge, skills, attitude and motivation, it is our
employees who constitute the potential and the driving force
behind our ongoing growth. We attach great importance to
/ / / / /
/ / /
continuously developing this personal and professional poten- /
/
/ /
/ /
/ /
/
/ /

tial, and to deploying it globally across departmental bounda- /

/
/
/

/
/

/
/ /
ries.

/ /
/ /

/ / /
/ / / / /
Managers encourage and support this development. They are

/ / / / /
models of the value we place on people, of willingness to work

/ / /
© Fotolia

/ /
and of focus on goals.

/ /

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/
/
/ / / /

/
/
/ /
/
/

/
/ / / / /
/ / / / /
/
/
/ / / /
TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES (Inkl. APPRENTICES) /
/ /
/ / /
/ / / / /
/ / /

/
/

/
/

/
/

/
2455

/ /

/ /
/ / / / / / / /

/ /
M F / Christmas gifts in the

/ / / / / / / /
1643 812 form of shopping
vouchers

/ /
/ /

/ /
/

/
TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES (EXCLUDING APPRENTICES)

/
/

/
/

/
/ / / / / / /
/
/ /
/
/ / / /
/ /
/
/
/
Manual workers Administrative/managerial staff
/ /
/ /
/
/ /
/ / / /
/ / / / / / / /
/
/
/

M F M F
/

/
/

/ Staff restaurants
/

/ /
/ /

509 422 1071 350

/ / /
/ / / / /

/ / / / / /
with the “Healthy / /
/ / / /
/
/ / / / /

/ /
/
/
Kitchen” seal of

/
/
/ / /

TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES (EXCLUDING APPRENTICES)

/
/

/ /
/ /
/ /

approval / / /
/ /

/ /

/ /
/ / / / / /
/

PT FT
/

/ / / / / /
/

/
/

/
/

/ /
261 2091
/ /
/ / /
/ /
/ /

/ /
/ / / / / / /
/ /

M F M F
/ /

/
/

/
/

/
/

/
62 199 1518 573
/ /
/ / /
/ / / /
/ / / / / /

/ / / / / / /
/ / / /
/
/ /
TEMPORARY STAFF (StanD: Dezember 2016) /
/
/

/
/

/
/

/ /

153
/ / / / / / /

/ / / / / / /
/ /

/ / / /
/ / /
/

/ /
/ /
/

/ /
/

/ / / /
/ / / / /
/
/
/

/ / / / / / /
/
/

/ /

/
/

/ / / / / / / /
/

/ /
/ / / / / / /

/ Developer
/ / / / / /
/ / / / /
/ / /

/ / / / / / /
/ / / /
/ / / / /
/ / /
/ / / /

/
/
meetings
/

/
/

/
/
/
/

/
/
/

/ /
/ /
/

/ /
/

/ /

/
/

/ /
/ /
/

/ / / / / / / /
/

/ /
/
/ /

/
/ /

/ Long Night of
/ / / / / / / /
/

/
/ /
/ /

/
/ /

/ /
/ / / / / / / /
/ / / / / /

Research 2016
/ / / / / / / / /

/ /

/ /
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/ / /

/
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/
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/
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/
/ /

/ /
/ /
/ /
/ /

/ /
/ /

/ /
/ / / / / / / /
/

/
/

/
/

/
/

/ /
/ /
/ /
/ / /
/ / / /
/ / / / / /
/ / / /
 Employees and community / 39

6.2 Service for employees

/ Fronius holds all kinds of activities and events to promote social networking, health, well-being and – not least – job satisfac-
tion.
/ / / / / / / /
/ / / /
/ / /
/ /
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/

/
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/
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/
/

/ /
/ /
/ Fronius KinderLand

/ /
/ / / / / / / /

/ / / / / / / /
/ / / / / / / /
/ /
(toddler’s group and
/ /
/ /
/
/

/
/

/
/ / / / / / / / / / / / /
/
crèche)

/
/ / / / / / /

/ /
/

/ /
/ / / /
/
/ /
/ /

/ /
/ / / / / / / /

/ /
/

/ / /
/ /
/ Fronius day for
/

/ /
/

/ / / /
/

/
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/

/
/

/
/

/
/ /

/
/ Fruit
/ / / / / /

/ /
/ /

/ /

/
/ / / /
/

/
/
/ /
new employees

/
/

/
/
/ / / / /

/ / / / / / / /

/
/ /

/
/ / /

/ / /
/ /

/ /

/ /
baskets
/ /
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/ / / / / /

/ /

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/ /
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/ /

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/ / / / / / / /
/

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/

/ /

/ /
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/

© Fotolia / /
/

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/ /

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/ / / / / / / /
/
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/ /
/ /
/

/ / / / / / / / /

/ /
/ Health promotion
/

/ /
/

/
/

/ /

/ / / / / / / / /
/ /

/ / / / / / / /
/ Financial contribu-
/ /

/ /
/ / / / / /
/
/ /

(in-house blood
/
/ / / / / / / /

/ /
/

/
/

/
/
/ / / / / / / /

tions towards sports

/

/
/
/

/ /

/
donation, etc.)

/
/ /

/ /
/ /
/ /

and relaxation
/ /
/ / / / / / / /

/ /
/ / / / / /
/ Company
/ / / / / / / / /

/ Retirement parties

/ /
/ /

/ / / / / /
/ /

/
courses
/

/
/ /

pension scheme
/
/ /

and staff awards /

/

/
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/

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/ End-of-
/

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/ /

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/
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/ Computer glasses and

/
/ /
/
/ /

/ Option to take
/
/ / / / / / / /
/ /

/ / / / / / /
/

/ / / / / / / /
/
/ /

apprenticeship
/
/ / /

desk lenses, PPE (personal

/

educational
/ / / / / /

/ /
/ /
/ / / / / / /

party
/ /
/ /

/ /

protective equipment such

/ / / / / / /

leave
/ /

/ /
/
/ / / / / / /

/
/ / /

/
/

as work boots, ear protec-

/

/ /
/

/
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/

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/
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/ /

/ /
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tion, etc.)
/ /

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/ / /
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/ Company volleyball
/ /
/ / / / / / /

/ / / / / / /
/ /
/

/ /
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/ / / / / / /

/ /

/ /

/ / / / /
/ / / / / / /
/ / /
court and five-a-side
/ /
/ / / / / / / /

/ /

/ / /
/ /
/

/
/
/

/ / / / / /
/

/
/

football pitch
/

/ Financially
/

/ /
/

/ /
/ /
/ /

/ /

/ /
/ /
/ / /
/ / / / / / /
/ / / / / /

/ / /

supported
/

/ Year-end party and / / / / / / /

/
/

/ /

/ /

/ /
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/ /
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/
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/ /

departmental
/
/

/ /
/

summer party
//

/ /
/

/ /
/ / / / / / / / / /
/ /

/ /
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/ /
/ /

/ /
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/ Running
/ /

outings
/ / / / /
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/ /
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events
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/ Fronius
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Global Sound
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/ Marriage and
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/ / /
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/ /

/ / / / / / /
/ /

child bonus
/ / /

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40 / Employees and community

6.3 Dialogue and exchange ENERGY/Points

/ Fronius is constantly working to achieve an open informa- / ENERGY/points are modern information and communication
tion and communication culture so that the company will islands permitting colleagues and customers to exchange
continue to be capable of shifting the limits of what is possi- knowledge. As a result, these islands are popular venues for
ble. Actual and virtual communication platforms help people departmental meetings or meetings held with customers. In
to get to know their working environment, participate in addition to coffee and drinks vending machines, most of the
advances and share their knowledge with others. ENERGY/points are equipped with a PC which permits access
to ENERGY/connect.
Annual staff appraisals
/ The Fronius staff appraisal is used as an instrument for
promoting open communication between management and
staff, reflecting regularly on our actions and taking the time
to work together on further developments of all sizes.

Internal improvements
/ Contribution of suggestions for improvement via internal
platforms, for example on the topics of occupational health
and safety or environment and energy.

Employee survey
/ Employee and management surveys are undertaken to gath- ENERGY/connect
er opinions on specific issues from those working at the com- / ENERGY/connect is used to provide staff with the latest in-
pany. In spring 2016, staff completed a survey on the topic formation from the company and technical information from
of “Nutrition and available selection at the staff restaurants”. the Business Units. ENERGY/connect also answers numerous
An initial measure resulting from this is the “Healthy Kitch- questions arising from the company’s everyday work and pro-
en” certification from the state of Upper Austria. vides a network for our staff. he Fragen aus dem Berufsalltag
und vernetzt unsere Mitarbeiter untereinander.
ENERGY/talk
/ At ENERGY/talks employees have the opportunity to gain / Information campaigns on environmental and energy topics
first-hand insight into an important topic at the company. (flyers, stand-up displays, ENERGY/connect articles, blog)
The Management Board provides them with information and
a workshop is held to gather new ideas and discuss and de- / Perfect Welding / Solar Energy / Perfect Charging

velop suggestions from employees. Gemeinsam GeGen abfall!

GREEN THINKING
/ Gemeinsam. Nachhaltig.

Energy / Perfect Charging

/ Perfect Welding / Solar

EnErgiE sparEn
- praktischE tipps
grEEn thinking
/ Gemeinsam. Nachhalti
g. im haushalt

/ Fronius prints exclusively on chlorine-free paper (TCF)

from sustainably managed forests (FSC).
 Employees and community / 41

6.4 Year-end party 6.6 Corporate social responsibility

/ »The challenges of the previous year have been overcome. / As a family company, Fronius is particularly aware of its
For this we can all be very proud. Now it is time for us all to responsibility. We specifically support social projects. We
relax and celebrate what we have achieved.« This was the would like to tell you about our cooperation with the Associ-
wording of the memo sent by the Management Board to all ation for the Promotion of Work and Disability (FAB). The
staff, inviting them to a celebratory gala evening. Events such FAB specialises in labour market integration for people with
as the year-end party call for vast resources and cause emis- social or physical disabilities. Martin Eibensteiner works at
sions. Fronius focuses on climate protection, adding regional the production site in Pettenbach and is very proud to be part
value and corporate social responsibility when preparing and of the team at Fronius. His learning difficulties and delayed
holding this event. The party was organised according to development cause problems for no one – quite the opposite,
Austrian Ecolabel criteria and certified as a Green Event. in fact. Martin is fully integrated and receives all the support
he needs. “We simply break new tasks down to segments.
This means there is enough time left over for learning,” says
Walter Rauch, his mentor at Fronius. A chaperone from FAB
who accompanies him as part of this process and is regularly
on site provides additional support. Martin has become a
valuable member of staff for Fronius, and we are pleased that
he enjoys working with us.

©Lenslife - Fotolia

6.5 Environmental experts

at fronius kinderland
/ At Fronius, even the littlest ones find out why environmen-
tal protection is important and what they can do to help. The
children at the in-company crèche busy themselves with
games on the topic of waste separation and disposal. They
were taught how to be careful with nature and the environ-
ment at exciting stations and by playing fun games. The new 6.7 Long night of research
environmental experts have had a varied morning and took / The Long Night of Research is a nationwide research event
part with lots of enthusiasm and inquisitiveness. that makes the services of domestic institutions – from basic
42 / Employees and community

research to industry – available to a wide population. Fronius forwards and helps employees implement what they have
took part in these events for the first time on 22 April and learnt into their everyday work.
thus proved itself to be a major attraction. More than 1000 There are a number of training and educational courses avail-
interested parties took the opportunity to visit the develop- able within the company, as well as customised Fronius pro-
ment site in Thalheim. Visitors were able to meet Fronius grammes.
staff and see revolutionary technologies such as storage sys-
tems for renewable energy, the house of the future, the perfect Face-to-face and online training:
arc and Virtual Welding up close. As the occasion and need arises, every employee or employee
group (team, project group, etc.) is given the opportunity to
6.8 Workplace ergonomics attend internal and online training sessions with external and
Fronius offers numerous opportunities to staff to maintain internal trainers, to develop both professionally and person-
and promote their personal health and well-being. Ergonom- ally. The management training programme is continuing in
ics in the office was a key focus in 2016. High-quality ergo- 2016 to support staff with appropriate training and advanced
nomic office equipment is available to staff. If anyone suffers training. The key training courses from the training pro-
health problems, it is possible to meet their needs by adapting gramme for 2016 include quality as a life philosophy and
the workstation with individually adjustable products. change fitness.
Staff receive management support when customising their
office surroundings to suit themselves. Moreover, internal Leading at Fronius
guidelines provide various compensatory exercises that can / Thinking ahead, making connections and making progress
be carried out in the office. However, at Fronius healthcare are elements of a consistent management approach at Froni-
does not end with measures directly in the workplace. Fitness us. This is how managers provide staff with information in
offerings such as yoga or back exercises complement efforts line with the Fronius Way, and they are aware of their respon-
to sustain personal health sibility for the entire company.

Moreover, the management programme supports our man-

agers in the performance of their duties and challenges them
to reflect on themselves and integrate everything they learn
into their work on a daily basis. The following topics are
discussed in this regard:
d co
ea
p la n a h

nn
ect

Module 1: Module 2: ach ve

Positive Leadership Leading yourself ie

Module 3: Module 4:
Leading people Shaping change

6.9 Skills management

/ The knowledge and skills of staff provide the foundation Other staff development methods
for our growth. In addition, the following instruments and topics support
daily staff development work at Fronius:
Fronius attaches great importance to continuously developing / Analysis of potential
its employees’ skills both on a personal and a professional / Skills model
level. Both managers and the employees themselves take re- / Secure transfer
sponsibility for continuous training and development, using / Trainee programmes
a variety of learning methods. Personal development goes / Workshops on relevant themes within the organisation
hand in hand with these learning processes, drives learning / Staff and management surveys
 Employees and community / 43

6.10 Apprenticeships at Fronius 6.11 Represtentation of interests

/ As far as we are concerned, learning involves far more than / At every Fronius International GmbH site there is a works
»just« practical and theoretical training for young managers council for manual workers and a works council for admin-
in the dual system. We perceive the potential of our future istrative/managerial staff. All sites are involved in the annu-
staff as early as the recruiting process. We then promote this al occupational safety committee meetings.
throughout the entire training period by means of the indi-
vidual Fronius internship system. Young people at Fronius The following committees have been established at Fronius:
find the majority of perspectives when making selections
from the 11 career paths available at present. After complet- Occupational Safety Committee
ing their training, they use their skills in a wide variety of Production sites: 14 members
fields and go on developing.
Occupational Safety Committee
APPRENTICESHIP MALE APPRENTICES FEMALE APPRENTICES
Development site: 14 members
Electronics technician 28 16

Mechatronic engineer 13 3
Metallurgical technician - mechanical
Occupational Safety Committee
8 0
engineering Sales site: 9 members
Metallurgical technician - machining
7 4
technology
Metallurgical technician - toolmaking
technology
0 1 Central Occupational Safety Committee
Electrical engineer 2 1 Cross-site representation: 10 members
Design engineer 2 0

Office administrator 1 15 Occupational and health protection

Commercial logistics trainee 3 2 (Cross-site and department representation): 13 members
IT technician 1 1
Media designer -
1 0
60 employees, or 1,57 % of the entire workforce, sit on com-
media technologist
mittees. 
66 43
 
/ Our apprentices of today are our company of tomorrow.
They will promote sustainable development and go on devel-
oping our technological leadership. When providing their
training today, we consider what we will need tomorrow.
44 / Energy and the environment

07. Energy and the environment

/ We are committed to our society and the environment. The technologies we are devel-
oping play their part in conserving the worldʼs resources.

7.1 24 hours of sun energy technologies are also able to supply electricity to dis-
/ »24 hours of sun« represents a future in which all our world- advantaged regions with an efficiency never seen before. Just
wide energy needs are covered completely by renewable like many third-world countries avoided the expensive fixed
sources. Renewable energy is available when it’s needed, line network for telecommunications and instead jumped
where it’s needed, by anyone who needs it, and in whichever straight ahead to much cheaper mobile communication tech-
quantity they need it. nologies, many disadvantaged countries and regions can also
avoid an expensive, centralised, and infrastructure-heavy
network by using decentralised systems for their electricity
supply right from the start.

24HRS Furthermore, a decentralised energy system generates an

enormous amount of local added value thanks to the imple-

SUN mentation of on-site energy production, storage and distribu-

tion solutions time and time again. Above all this means the
creation of local jobs for a local energy supply. Expensive
imports of fossil fuels and nuclear materials, not to mention
the accompanying after-effects, are eliminated, ensuring that
The key to making this visionary goal a reality lies in the use the added value remains with the people who created it.
of technologies and solutions to generate, store, distribute
and consume renewable energy intelligently, cost-effectively Even if we sometimes lose sight of it amidst the pressures of
and with unprecedented efficiency. the day to day, we are doing something very important: we
We are obliged to ensure the world still holds a worthwhile are developing and implementing energy solutions that are
future for our children. 24 hours of sun is the solution for an changing the world for the better and bringing the future of
economically and ecologically sustainable energy supply for 24 hours of sun ever closer, step by step. This is our mission,
us and future generations. This makes it possible to provide day in, day out.
everyone with the energy they need to live in our modern
world while also taking care of the environment and resourc-
es. In this context, “everybody” also includes people living in
remote regions or in regions without a highly-developed en-
ergy infrastructure. This is because decentralised, renewable

10

1 24H SONNE / 24HRS SUN

7
1 Photovoltaik-Kraftwerk
Photovoltaic Power Plant
2 Windkraftwerk
6 Wind Farm
3 Wasserkraftwerk
Hydro Electric Power Plant
9 Energieautonomes Einfamilienhaus
11 4 Energy Self-sufficient Family Home
5
5 Kommunaler Speicher
Communal Storage
6 Pumpspeicherkraftwerk
Pumped Storage Hydro Power
7 Zentrale Elektrolyse-/Methanisierungsanlage
3 Central Electrolysis/Methanation Station
4
8 Wasserstoff-Tankstelle
Hydrogen Filling Station
8
9 Gaskraftwerk
Gas-fired Power Station
10 Energieautonome Mobilfunkstation
Energy Self-sufficient Telecom Station
11 Grüne Intralogistik
Green Intralogistics
 Energy and the environment / 45

7.2 Fronius MyStrom

/ Born from the call to participate in the Idea Challenge in 2014, implemented in the subsequent »future workshop«, and now
finally here: the community power product »Fronius myStrom« is available to all Fronius staff in Austria, with immediate effect.
This is a strong, positive sign of our collective way towards 24 hours of sun.

/ Together with an innovative green power supplier, Fronius THE POWER PRODUCT WITH THE EXTRA SOLAR POWER
is addressing all staff in Austria regardless of whether they / Fronius myStrom ushers in a new power supply era. H
 ow it works:

have a photovoltaic system or not. PV surpluses from staff

with PV systems are fed in full into the collective »power pot«
and can be used by all participating staff. The remaining pow- + =
er requirement is met by means of 100% green power from / Power mix containing / PV infeed by / Fronius myStrom
100% Fronius myStrom participants community power mix
Austria. Fronius myStrom is thus a true community power Austrian green power with PV systems

project, developed and implemented by Fronius staff for Fro- / Every surplus kilowatt-hour of photovoltaic power fed into the grid by participating Fronius staff remains in

nius staff. the community pot. This power community makes Fronius myStrom the green power tariff with the highest
PV percentage of all current providers on the market. Your monthly bill shows a detailed overview of the solar
power consumed by the community.

7.3 Sustainable use of resources / Cooling using groundwater

/ As a manufacturing company, we are aware of the effects of Operation of the necessary IT infrastructure is ensured by
our business activities on the environment. Optimal use of the Fronius data centre. As expected, a high amount of ener-
our resources is deeply rooted in our principles and is respect- gy is needed to run the centre. Energy is also needed for
ed in all our departments. As well as the considered use of dissipating the heat generated. The available groundwater
raw materials for our products, we attach great importance flow is now being used as a heat exchanger due to the imple-
to the sustainable and energy-efficient management of our mentation of an ambitious project. The water taken cools the
buildings and their infrastructure. rooms and is then fed into the groundwater flow with a max-
imum temperature differential of 5 °C.
Resource optimisation projects: Benefits:
/ Compressed air optimisation
Preparing compressed air is a very energy-intensive process. REDUCTION IN ANNUAL POWER
REQUIREMENT
To utilise the deployed resources as effectively as possible, the
process for the preparation of compressed air was considered CO2 SAVING
as an integral whole. Considerable potential could be estab- 27.9 tonnes of CO2
LOWER MAINTENANCE COSTS
lished within the scope of this project at the two production HIGH FAULT TOLERANCE
sites in Sattledt and Pettenbach. Implementation of technical
and organisational measures has not only reduced power re-
quirements, but also considerably reduced energy losses too. Energy management
/ Energy management applies to all Fronius International
GmbH sites, but most importantly to the production sites in
OPTIMISATION OF COMPRESSOR REG- Sattledt and Pettenbach, the Research & Development Centre
ULATION BY MEANS OF COMPRESSED
AIR MANAGEMENT in Thalheim and the sales hub in Wels. Within the framework
11.3 tonnes of CO2
of energy management, regular internal audits are carried out
TOTAL CO2 to identify and assess energy aspects and energy consump-
saving through resource optimisation of
compressed air 107.2 tonnes of CO2 tion. In accordance with the obligation of the Austrian Ener-
TECHNICAL OPTIMISATION OF
AIR COMPRESSORS gy Efficiency Act (EEffG), an energy report is drawn up peri-
LEAKAGE MEASUREMENT BY
52.4 tonnes of CO2
MEANS OF ULTRASOUND odically. The report contains energy data such as consumption,
43.5 tonnes of CO2
key figures, diagrams and savings, the individual energy
consumption areas and energy-efficiency improvement meas-
46 / Energy and the environment

ures determined from the audits.

The table below shows energy consumption data from the last two years and the corresponding amount of greenhouse
gasses emitted, expressed by the sum parameter of CO2 equivalents.

ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS (GHG EMISSIONS)

ENERGY CONSUMPTION GHG EMISSIONS

Unit 2016 2015 2014 Unit 2016 2015 2014
Direct energy consumption / GHG emissions
MWh 16 308 17 128 15 668 t CO2e 1 401 1 941 1 875
(Scope 1)
Biomass (wood chips) % 31 28 31 % <1 <1 <1

Geothermal energy % 28 26 20 % <1 <1 <1

Natural gas % 18 22 23 % 45 43 42

Diesel % 13 15 16 % 36 41 41

Photovoltaics % 5 4 5 % <1 <1 <1

Fuel oil % 4 2 4 % 11 7 12

Petrol % 2 3 2 % 8 8 5

Liquefied petroleum gas % <1 <1 <1 % <1 <1 <1

ENERGY CONSUMPTION GHG EMISSIONS

Unit 2016 2015 2014 Unit 2016 2015 2014
Indirect energy consumption / GHG emissions
MWh 19 098 19 126 17 222 t CO2e 11 872 11 890 10 706
(Scope 2)
Electricity % 100 100 100

ENERGY CONSUMPTION GHG EMISSIONS

Unit 2016 2015 2014 Unit 2016 2015 2014

Purchased energy MWh 617 485 540 t CO2e 384 301 336

Electricity % 100 100 100

Key figures
Einheit 2016 2015 2014
Energy intensity
MWh/to 3,73 3,65 4,77
(energy consumption/production volume)
Intensity of the GHG emissions
t/t 1,42 1,41 1,85
(CO2e/production volume)

The manufacturing of our products is energy intensive due to the processes required, such as brazing and milling, which
makes the efficient use of energy particularly important. A high-density metering infrastructure and future-oriented, long-
term planning of ecological investments enables us to consume energy in an optimal manner, to reduce our water require-
ments and to continuously reduce the use of fossil fuels.
 Energy and the environment / 47

Environmental management
/ A wealth of environmental data is gathered and evaluated as part of the environmental management system in accordance
with ISO 14001. In addition to energy consumption data, water consumption and waste volumes are also monitored at Froni-
us International GmbH sites.

The table below shows water consumption separated out by withdrawal source.

WATER CONSUMPTION WATER CONSUMPTION BY SOURCE

Unit 2016 2015

Total water consumption m 3

25 168 37 153

From the municipal water supply % 97 74

Surface water / Rain water % 1 24

Groundwater % 2 2

Fifty different types of waste are collected at the Fronius sites and then re-used or disposed of. Internal information cam-
paigns are used to inform employees at Fronius about topics such as avoiding, reducing and separating waste and to encour-
age them to get involved in reducing the quantity of waste produced.

TOTAL WEIGHT OF WASTE BY

WASTE VOLUME
TYPE AND DISPOSAL METHOD
Unit 2016 2015

Reutilised waste t 2 019 2 121

Recycling % 88 86

Reclamation % 9 14

Composting % 3 <1

Waste disposed of t 328 414

Incineration % 94 84

Landfill % 6 16

We are always trying to increase our reutilisation quota in collaboration with our disposal partners to keep the environmen-
tal impact to a minimum.

IMPORTED, TRANSPORTED AND

TOTAL WEIGHT
EXPORTED HAZARDOUS WASTE
Unit 2016 2015

Transported hazardous waste t 223 242

Imported hazardous waste t 0 0

Exported hazardous waste t 0 0

Treated hazardous waste t 0 0

Percentage of cross-border transported
% 0 0
hazardous waste
48 / Energy and the environment

As a manufacturer and marketer of products, Fronius is subject to numerous legal requirements and obligations. In order
to ensure our packaging is collected and reused in an environmentally friendly manner, we are members of a collection and
recycling system. An Austrian company is commissioned to recover and recycle the packaging for the products we sell in
Austria.
We also use a comprehensive recycling service for the electrical and electronic equipment and batteries we sell. Fronius has
transferred all the legal obligations to an established disposal partner, who is responsible for the professional collection and
recycling of waste devices and batteries across Austria.

Transport impacts
/ As an international company, we produce a substantial amount of emissions through business travel and the transport of
goods. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as a result of business trips, video conferences represent an eco-friend-
ly alternative. In addition, some of the vehicles in our fleet have been replaced by electric and natural gas models. Diesel
vehicles are now excluded from the procurement of new business vehicles. Moreover, where possible we use trains for
business travel. This has allowed us to save more than 25 tonnes of CO2 of emissions over the past year.

ECOLOGICAL BUSINESS TRIPS GHG EMISSIONS

TRANSPORT IMPACTS
Unit 2016 2015 Unit 2016 2015

Total distance km 11 953 580 15 430 175 t CO2e 4 351 5 382

Air % 74 71 % 85 85

Car % 25 28 % 15 15

Train % 1 <1 % <1 <1

LOGISTICS GHG EMISSIONS

Unit 2016 2015 Unit 2016 2015

Total weight of transported products/materials t 18 008 17 111 t CO2 7 776 9 426

HGV % 80 77 % 8 5

Sea freight % 15 12 % 8 6

Air freight % 5 11 % 84 89

The upstream and downstream transport of materials and goods is outsourced to external transport companies. Within Europe,
Fronius does not use air freight and we favour environmentally friendly sea transport for intercontinental shipments. Transport
to the ports takes place by rail.
Energy and the environment / 49
50 / Notes

08. Notes
Notes / 51
 Text and illustrations were accurate at the time of printing. Fronius reserves the right to make changes. All information published in this document, despite exercising the greatest of care in its preparation, is subject to change; no legal liability is accepted. Copyright © 2011 Fronius™.
All rights reserved. Printed at Fronius on paper from Mondi/Amstetten, certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001; mark of conformity: FSC® for sustainably managed forests. CO2 neutral thanks to energy-efficient production and short transport routes

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