Your contact:
Thomas Keßeler
E-mail
t.kesseler@klueh.de
Our sustainability approach
Sustainability is part of our company’s DNA and one aspect of our long-term corporate focus. Klüh is a labour-intensive service provider with a long tradition that is committed to acting in the interest of people and to sustainably preserving the value of their environment. To us as a multiservice provider, sustainability in our business operations means creating value for our clients, maintaining a culture of innovation, being an attractive employer and preserving resources – both within our company and in the services we provide to our clients (see Klüh materiality matrix).
Initiated in 2022, our sustainability strategy provides us with the direction to achieve this. Our focus is always on ensuring our clients’ satisfaction because, without them, Klüh would not have enjoyed the success it has for more than 100 years. We see ourselves as the ‘#zukunftsleister’ – the service innovator – demonstrating our deep awareness for the future with services we are already introducing today. The following extracts from our sustainability targets highlight specific achievements.
Thanks to innovation by our divisions, with key contributions from our Center of Digital Excellence, we are pressing ahead when it comes to the future issues of sustainability and digital transformation. On the basis of data, we can achieve a great deal such as reducing the use of cleaning agents, avoiding food waste and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
In an era of growing digitalisation, innovation in this area especially will ensure our company’s future viability. That is why we are strengthening our focus on digital transformation – both for our clients and within our own company. Established in 2018, the Center of Digital Excellence is our in-house digital hub that works closely with our divisions to develop digital solutions. We identify innovative opportunities and pilot the use of digital technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, robotics and assistance systems. In this way, we create new digital services and solutions which contribute to preserving resources and drive the industry’s sustainable development.
Taking building-related services to the next level
At Klüh, digitalisation and sustainability go hand in hand. The Eco System for Smart Services is our 360-degree concept for optimally tailoring our services to meet our clients’ individual needs.
This has already enabled Klüh’s Cleaning and Clinic Service divisions to increase cleaning quality and efficiency and implement resource-saving processes. Using EcoServ, Klüh is making its clients’ buildings smart and adapting the cleaning process to meet individual demand.
Learn more on our EcoServ-Landingpage!
We utilise resources as sparingly and ecologically as possible. The highest priority in all our divisions is reducing CO2 emissions. To this end, we are developing a fleet strategy aimed at transitioning to electric vehicles, use green electricity and deploy carbon-free processes in the Cleaning division. Here, we are also reducing the use of cleaning agents, choose chemical-free alternatives wherever possible and deploy biodegradable cleaning processes.
In our Catering division, our innovative AI Waste Management process is an innovative approach to reducing food waste. We also avoid packaging waste and use non-animal products to a growing extent. In line with our commitment to animal welfare, we support the Albert Schweitzer Foundation’s European Chicken Commitment.
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'We love green' vegetarian product line
‘I’ is now ‘we’. Klüh Catering has relaunched its vegetarian product line, first introduced in 2016, changing its name from ‘I love green’ to ‘We love green’. We remain committed to culinary excellence, freshness and regional ingredients, with a focus on delivering fine cuisine coupled with healthy and sustainable nutritional concepts. All 38 ‘We love green’ dishes are guaranteed climate-friendly, indicated to diners by the green CO2 cloud in our catering app. Learn more on our We love green-Landingpage!
Sustainable cleaning processes using ozone
It was long considered impossible to achieve deep cleaning results without using chemicals. Our sustainable cleaning processes use ozone, a genuine alternative to chemicals that kills bacteria, fungi and viruses rather than just masking them. Moreover, ozone evaporates from water and forms no residues, leaving behind just water and oxygen.
Artificial intelligence in company canteens
Reducing food waste and making company canteens more sustainable are at the top of our agenda. Increasingly, we are deploying artificial intelligence to achieve this. For example, an image recognition technology enables us to record the food left on plates, calculate food waste and develop optimisation and reduction measures. Our goal is to make company canteens and kitchens even smarter and continue to improve system connectivity.
Avoid, reduce, recycle
In the area of catering, we have been making sustainable contributions to food handling for years. In addition to the use of artificial intelligence (AI), for example, we have introduced a deposit system using reusable containers to reduce packaging waste. The reusable containers have a significantly better carbon footprint than disposable crockery after just eight reuses.
Animal welfare
As an important food service provider in Germany, we bear responsibility for our stakeholders. The issue of animal welfare is an important part of our sustainability strategy. We support the European Broiler Initiative (EMI) to ensure animal welfare in the long term and have committed to implementing 100% of the EMI requirements together with our suppliers by 2026. In addition, we are introducing our diners to conscious meat consumption and a plant-based diet as part of campaign weeks such as "Glücksgeflügel" and "Veganuary".
One core focus at Klüh is social responsibility in all its many facets. We do everything we can to be an attractive employer and work continuously to improve our employer branding. And we are successful in this. Last year, we received recognition for our recruiting measures. In addition, our employees expressed their appreciation for the training and development opportunities provided by our in-house Klüh Academy.
Equal opportunities and diversity also play an important role for us as an international company. Employees from 122 nations contribute their origins, religions, world views and values to our daily work and collaborate in arespectful and prejudice-free working environment in line with the requirements of Germany’s General Act on Equal Treatment.
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Klüh Security School
The Klüh Security School can look back on a 40-year history and has always focused on offering employees a perspective.
Klüh is the only company in Germany that provides advanced protection and security training for all its employees, preparing them for Chamber of Industry and Commerce examinations. This represents real added value. We are also continuing to expand our broad e-learning offering. Klüh’s DigiLearn platform enables employees to learn whenever and wherever they want.
Award-winning employer
Against the backdrop of an increasing shortage of specialists and workers, the study "Germany's most desirable employers" analyses the data from social listening and an online survey every year, taking into account various topics such as job security, salary structure, development and training opportunities as well as additional benefits. In 2024, Klüh Multiservices was recognised for the fifth time in a row in the area of infrastructural services, making it one of the most sought-after employers in the German facility management industry!
Diversity and inclusion
We have signed the "Diversity Charter" and maintain an organisational culture that is characterised by mutual respect and appreciation. Acceptance and tolerance are therefore part of our corporate culture. With their cultural, gender and age-related backgrounds and experience, Klüh employees from 122 nations play their part in enabling us to successfully offer different services for many different industries worldwide.
Occupational health and safety
We take responsibility for the health and safety of our employees. Our comprehensive health management system is audited internally and externally at regular intervals - in 2024, for example, we were recognised by the VBG for implementing "systematic health" in the company. We also provide training at the Klüh Academy with seminars on occupational health management and offer a company pension scheme and supplementary health insurance in the form of the Klüh pension and the Klüh Plus Card.
Our company has been firmly rooted in Düsseldorf since 1911 and has a long tradition of commitment to a wide range of sports, art and cultural projects within the region and across Germany. Each year, for example, the ‘Wir für Düsseldorf’ initiative established by Josef Klüh supports selected associations and projects. The Klüh Foundation sponsors innovation in science and research on an annual basis, providing both practical and financial support. Many of our employees are involved in volunteering – either as examiners for the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, as volunteer fire fighters, as disaster relief volunteers or as trainers in sports clubs.
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Anti-discrimination activities at VfL Bochum
Working with VfL Bochum 1848, we have introduced an open assistance programme at the Vonovia Ruhr Stadium.
On German League match days, anyone who feels unsafe, threatened or harassed can go to one of our contact points at the stadium. This anti-discrimination project is proof that we do not look away but take action and provide help.
Wir für Düsseldorf 2024
This year, the "Wir für Düsseldorf" (We for Düsseldorf) donation initiative launched by Josef Klüh is supporting organisations in the NRW state capital that are committed to the welfare of homeless people.
A total of 25,000 euros will be channelled into projects and initiatives for acute aid, prevention and support for the social rehabilitation of homeless people.
UN Global Compact
In January 2023, we became a participant in the UN Global Compact, a worldwide network of more than 21,000 companies and public sector, government and academic organisations. On the basis of its Ten Principles and Sustainable Development Goals, the network aims to enhance the social and environmental compatibility of globalisation, thereby ensuring a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Düsseldorf Climate Pact
As a committed company, we have joined the Düsseldorf Climate Pact with the business community in January 2024. By signing the climate pact, we are committing to our city and will actively contribute to the goal of climate neutrality in Düsseldorf by 2035.
Klüh Foundation
Established on the occasion of the company's 75th anniversary, the foundation for the promotion of innovation in science and research provides annual funding and honours sustainable projects and personalities, such as Prof. Dr Fehm, whose commitment combines outstanding research with the greatest possible proximity to patients in practical care.
Corporate responsibility, value-based business practices and the consistent high quality of our services are important to us. In order to sustain this approach every day, we set ourselves high standards that go beyond what is required by law. For Klüh, regular internal and external audits are essential to ensuring transparency. Below please find our operating and management principles and various reports about the sustainable quality management of our services.
| Management Principles | Download PDF |
| Klüh Code of Conduct | Download PDF |
| Quality Mission Statement | Download PDF |
| Occupational Health and Safety Policy | Download PDF |
| Environmental and Energy Policy | Download PDF |
| Purchasing terms and conditions | Download PDF |
| Supplier Code of Conduct | Download PDF |
Klüh sustainability targets 2023 (extracts)
Climate
In the climate field, Klüh Multiservices has set itself the target of achieving climate-neutral business operations by 2040. To this end, it planned to reduce its own energy (electricity and gas) consumption continuously, starting in 2023. With total CO2 emissions of 679 tonnes in 2023 compared with 911 tonnes in 2022, this target has been achieved.
Innovation
In the Cleaning division, large and small innovations are of existential importance to economic sustainability. The target was therefore to use digitalisation in implementing further sustainable innovations in 2023. This was achieved with the development of a smart EcoServ cleaning service as well as other innovations such as replacing analogue reports with a digital version. App and front-end development as well as employee training were completed in the second quarter of 2023, thus accelerating processes considerably.
Employer attractiveness/demography
In the social field, appreciation and employer attractiveness are of great significance to employees, potential employees and Klüh as a company because of demographic developments. Therefore, the targets in 2023 included an employee survey and a high score of at least 4.0 on the Kununu online employer assessment platform. Klüh achieved this target with a score of 4.2. It was also recognised by Kununu as a “Top Company” and by the F.A.Z.-Institut as one of Germany’s most attractive employers.
Klüh sustainability targets 2024 (extracts)
Environment
Among the targets for 2024, the Catering division has committed to offering at least two dishes from the new “We love green” vegetarian/vegan product line in each canteen every week as its contribution to mitigating climate change. The 50% reduction in CO2 emissions compared with existing dishes is thus an important aspect of the weekly meal options provided by Catering.
Innovation
In the innovation/digitalisation field, Klüh’s Center of Digital Excellence (CoDE) has set itself the target for 2024 of acquiring at least five pilot projects for its innovative Eco System for Smart Services, generating a measurable direct reduction in CO2 emissions. This 360-degree concept enables Klüh to tailor services optimally to clients’ individual needs.
Employer attractiveness/demography
In the social/employer attractiveness field, Klüh Multiservices has set itself the target for 2024 of implementing five projects that contribute to increasing employer attractiveness:
- Publication of an employer branding campaign focused on employees and appreciation for what they do for the company
- Rating as a “Top Company” by Kununu, the independent online employer assessment platform – achieved by only 5% of the companies listed
- High-quality certification for occupational health management
- Creation and introduction of a management development programme (personnel development)
- Digitalisation of the training catalogue to reduce barriers within the company and increase employee access opportunities