Conservation-conscious and sustainable corporate governance using the example of the Fruchthof Konstanz

As the succeeding company of two well-established family-enterprises the Fruchthof Konstanz GmbH was founded 1993 as a specialized wholesale trade for fruit, vegetables and southern fruit. Currently the company engages 38 employees from 7 nations full time. It is committed out of conviction to an ecologically aware and sustainable corporate governance. Thus the Fruchthof Konstanz has already introduced the environmental management system in 1995 according to the EC-eco-audit-decree (EMAS) as the first wholesale company in Germany.

During a tour of the company premises the participants learn in step with actual practice how the environmental management system is realized: The active energy strategy uses the soil temperature in the summer-time as a cooling energy for the cooling system and in the winter-time as a heating for the tempering of the storehouse. The solid architecture and intensive roof greening are part of the passive energy strategy. Aspects such as these are shown to the participants and are demonstrated vividly. The storage and logistic systems are also presented to them. The wholesale trade for fruit and vegetables daily serves approximately 350 customers.

During a tour of the company premises the visitors do not only get to know the energy concept of the Fruchthof Konstanz. They also come to know what a valuable contribution the company makes to the development of the sustainable agriculture in the border triangle.

After the conducted tour there is the possibility to discuss the issue of energy conservation with Jürgen Riedlinger the CEO of the Fruchthof Konstanz. In this context the alternative construction of industrial buildings has a particular significance. Further relevant aspects of energy concepts inspire an exchange among the participants.

During the tour of the company premises teachers get an overview of the development of sustainable agriculture in the border triangle. Thus they can introduce the newly acquired insights into the subject area of sustainability in class in step with actual practice and on the basis of regional examples. The exchange with fellow teachers as well as the discussion with an expert give useful stimuli for the practical presentation in class.