Economic sustainability
When it comes to economic sustainability, long-term growth, regulatory compliance, and sustainability partnerships are front and center for us.
Sustainable growth
For AEB, corporate growth means: Success must be earned – only then will it prove sustainable. We take growth literally. It takes time. It happens organically. And we are willing to forgo short-term profit if it makes us stronger in the long term. We also look closely at the security and attractiveness of our employees' jobs. The following are some of the actions that have helped fuel our sustainable growth:
- We manage AEB as an employee-owned company, allowing us to pursue long-term goals without the influence of markets or investors focused on short-term profits
- We practice a corporate culture that aligns with a strategy of sustainable growth
- We maintain a trusting and constructive partnership between management and employee representatives
- We have established a Company Council responsible for designing the modalities of work and working life and developing corporate principles and values
Compliance in cooperation
We hold ourselves as a company, our employees, and our business partners to the same standard of legal compliance and adherence to the principles of environmental, social, and ethical conduct. A sampling of some of our compliance initiatives:
- Introduced a whistleblower system
- Instituted a company-wide Code of Conduct that instructs how we work at AEB and how we interact with our external partners
- Established a comprehensive purchasing policy to reflect our commitment to compliance and sustainability
Our software products in the areas of global trade, compliance, and customs management also contribute to this goal. They make it easier for companies to check and comply with rules and regulations in global trade and thus act in a compliant manner.
Reaching goals through partnerships
Sustainability also means that AEB is working actively to form networks, get things moving together, exploit synergy effects, and drive issues forward together in partnerships. In recent years, AEB has begun to establish numerous partnerships and become involved in various initiatives:
- Resource sharing: AEB is partnering with local companies to reduce consumption and share resources such as our in-house “Kantino” cafeteria
- Food Policy Council – CityRegion Stuttgart: The Council is committed to creating a platform for regionally produced food in Stuttgart and the surrounding area, including fair conditions for producers, businesses, and consumers
- Partnership with Gryn: We've joined forces with this startup to market software that helps companies measure and reduce their carbon footprint in transport logistics
AEB Sustainability Statement
Read more about sustainability at AEB
AEB voluntarily prepared a CSRD-compliant sample report for the 2024 reporting year. Our goal: Preparing early for future reporting obligations and establishing processes. Based on a double materiality analysis, we collected and evaluated relevant data. The report forms the basis for systematically setting up our sustainability management.
A look at some of our programs and initiatives
All categoriesEnvironmentalSocialEconomic
Vocational training in Uganda
Only 5% of those who graduate from public school in Uganda go on to a university, and only 15% attend a vocational school. So it’s not surprising that experts estimate youth unemployment to be around 80%. In cooperation with Adept, the AEB-Stiftung provides financial support and shares technological expertise with St. Bruno Secondary School in Masaka’s heavily impoverished northern district of Ssaza in the areas of IT training, infrastructure, and sponsorships.Vehicle fleet
We’ve had a company car policy for over ten years designed to reduce emissions from our vehicle fleet. Our company headquarters and AEB offices offer free electric and hybrid vehicle charging. We even add our own self-generated solar electricity to the energy mix used to charge the cars.Award-winning sustainable cuisine
Variety, great taste, beneficial for people and the environment is the motto of the AEB-Kantino at the HQ in Stuttgart. Seasonal dishes made from regional products are served daily and measures are consistently taken against food waste. The team recently received an award for promoting sustainable regional cuisine.
Suppliers and partners
Sustainability is a key criterion in the selection of partners and suppliers and in our procurement processes.
Restoration of the AEB garden
We want the AEB garden to become even more attractive and natural. The little-used sports field will be dismantled and some of the recommendations from the biodiversity report will be implemented. A planned pathway to our new neighboring building Zero will make it much easier to share resources in the future.
Public transit and bikes for lease
We subsidize the use of public transit for the sustainable mobility of our workforce. We also give employees the option to lease bicycles under the “JobRad” program.
More moor: Pfrunger-Burgweiler Ried Nature Conservation Foundation
AEB financially supports the Pfrunger-Burgweiler Ried foundation for nature conservation. This has helped restore an additional 15 hectares of moorland and sequester significant amounts of carbon. Twice a year, AEB employees get their hands dirty to provide practical support for nature conservation on site.
Local sharing economy
AEB’s Stuttgart HQ is part of a growing hyperlocal community of companies with a big potential for sharing and collaboration. The first step has been to open up AEB’s “Kantino” for employees of neighboring businesses. Further facilities are to be shared in the future.
Electromobility training for young women in Lebanon
Children from challenging family circumstances are offered education, lodging, and meals at the Johann Ludwig Schneller School in Lebanon, irrespective of their origin and religious background. In cooperation with the AEB-Stiftung, a module for e-mobility was developed for the automotive technology vocational training course, which modernizes the training and is targeted specifically at girls. The school waives school fees for newly enrolled young women – a strong sign for promoting equality.
Educational equity with KinderHelden
The nonprofit “KinderHelden” offers mentoring to children that have had a difficult start in life, and we support them through volunteering and financial assistance.
AEB Inclusive Language Guideline
The “Guide to Inclusive and Gender-Neutral Language” contains recommendations for external communication. It is available in German and English and was adapted to the respective requirements and special characteristics of the languages.
Green dreams
AEB ranks hotels based on eco-friendliness and always refers employees traveling for business to the greenest option available.100% green energy
All our offices in Germany use green energy from regenerative sources.
Green data centers
The key component of the sustainable energy concept of our data centers is a water storage tank: The water cools the server rooms by absorbing waste heat and is then circulated through the company headquarters for heating purposes. The cool night air in the summer cools the sprinkler tank, which then helps keep the data center and the whole building cooler during the day. A photovoltaic system supplies both data centers with electricity during daytime hours.
Gambia: Support for preschool children
The Afrikaya preschool in Yundum provides children from underprivileged backgrounds with access to education, including essential English lessons, as all school instruction is conducted exclusively in English. Furthermore, a music room, renovated sanitary facilities, and a trip with the children to a nature reserve demonstrate how education can also convey a sense of security and the joy of discovery.
More EV charging stations
Since August 2023, 40 charging ports with intelligent load management have been available in the parking garage under AEB headquarters. Our company headquarters and AEB offices offer free electric vehicle charging. We even add our own self-generated solar electricity to the energy mix used to charge the cars.Refuge and education in São Paulo's slums
“Cracolandia” is one of the world’s largest open-air drug markets. The residents this notorious slum of São Paulo, Brazil endure conditions that are unimaginable for us. The AEB-Stiftung supports our partner educare that is active there. The non-profit organization provides young people with protection and prospects. It offers regular free meals, games, and learning opportunities as well as personal support. A two-stage trainee program provides initial work experience and coaching – rewarded with a state-recognized certificate and minimum wage.Biodiversity onsite at the AEB HQ
The biodiversity on the AEB site in Stuttgart was analyzed as part of a biodiversity report. The report attests to the AEB garden's high structural diversity without invasive species. Targeted measures such as more diverse plant species and additional near-natural structures are recommended.
