This year, too, it has been an extensive process in identifying Sweden’s top responsible growth companies. We are therefore very happy to now be able to tell you that the shortlist is out! Here are the 13 companies that are competing for the Symbiosis 2024 award. Below they have given their motivations for why they should be awarded.
With our vision to build a more sustainable society, Ahlsell wants to make the sustainable choice easy accessible for all customers. Sustainability is the key to success: dialogue with both suppliers and customers and strategic initiatives gives us the innovative and transformational power that the journey requires. Through circular offerings, renewable fuels-transports and sustainable employment, Ahlsell shows that environmental, social and economic responsibility are in symbiosis and supports a profitable growth. Concrete examples of our successful sustainability work are the highest award in EcoVadis´ sustainability assessment, and committing to Science Based Target, in line with 1.5 degrees emission reduction target.
Working for and contributing to increased financial literacy in society has always been an integrated part of our core strategy. At a time when many people are falling into debt, understanding how to manage your money is critical. Our aim is to reach a broad group of individuals, including those who historically have been underrepresented on the financial market. An example of this, is our work to encourage women to save. Contributing to gender equality in savings is central to Avanza, and increased gender equality in the savings capital is one of our overarching targets. Environmental sustainability is also an integrated part of our business and apart from having emission reduction targets in our own operations, we focus on providing tools to our customers so they can integrate sustainability factors in their investment decisions. As a financial company we play an important role in the industry’s transition through our ability to steer capital to sustainable businesses – a key factor to achieve the SDGs and the Paris Agreement’s targets. We are also convinced that investments in responsible and sustainable business models that operate within the planetary boundaries will generate the highest returns over time.
For years, Icebug has been in the frontline of making sustainable footwear. We try to disrupt the rather dirty shoe industry through radical transparency, genuine sustainability work and by inviting other brands to make use of our best practice (within renewable energy, natural rubber and more). BUT the most important thing that we’ve done recently is aligning our business targets and owner’s directives with what is good for people and planet – not only the owners (which is the norm for most businesses). In practice: Rather than just aiming at selling a lot of shoes, our target is to maximize the use of our shoes. This marks our commitment to durability, versatility, and our role in enabling healthy and sustainable lifestyles. Also: putting the interest of nature and society over traditional shareholder’s interests comes with very practical actions. Like saying no to things like airfreight that might benefit us from a financial point of view but is devastating to the climate. Even though we don’t have a growth target, we see very positive development – in terms of business and impact alike. We grow in market share and as a voice for companies that want to cut with business as usual. Most recently we’ve been invited to speak at the UNFCCC pavilion at COP28. Through this nomination we’d like to highlight the importance of sound business targets and owner’s directives. What if more, and bigger brands put sustainability at the core of their business?
K2A is a pioneering company that has undergone substantial growth since its establishment in 2013, presently showcasing a turnover of nearly half a billion Swedish Kronor. Spearheading sustainability in the real estate sector, K2A achieved a global milestone by being the first company to have its equity labeled as green, and has since then set the most ambitious climate goal in the Swedish real estate industry. In 2023, GRESB, the world’s largest real estate sustainability benchmark, ranked K2A as the second-best globally among all listed residential housing companies. Since K2A was honored with the Symbios award in 2022, the real estate sector has encountered substantial challenges and to ensure future growth K2A has divested several properties during 2023. These transactions have provided clear evidence of the company’s claim that its environmental profile strengthens its growth potential; in a market where many believe properties cannot be sold without substantial discounts, K2A has completed successful sales and conclusively demonstrated that modern, climate-friendly buildings act as a safeguard against challenging market conditions, actively contributing to the enduring economic prosperity of real estate enterprises.
At Micropower sustainability is embedded in everything we do. As a provider of Lithium-Ion battery systems and Battery chargers one of our main competitive advantages is the fact that we provide energy efficient solutions that help our industrial customers succeed with their electrification journey. Two aspects of our ESG work that we are especially proud of are: (i) The clear roadmap for how we are securing that we can communicate CO2 data to customers on both product and company level, adhering to new legislation. (ii) The work done in conjuncture with building our new battery and charger factory in Växjö. A complete sustainability program, covering social as well as environmental topics, have been integrated already from project planning and from mid-2024 and onwards we will operate out of our state-of-the-art 25.000 m2 factory.
From the outset, sustainability has been ingrained in our business model, with our initial sustainability strategy implemented in 2014. We recognise that our employees are our greatest asset and constantly develop our company culture to keep the high engagement, since it leads to higher employee and customer satisfaction, profit, and growth. Our strong culture is also a vital asset in acquisitions, to attract, onboard and integrate new companies and new colleagues. We take responsibility throughout the value chain, consistently enhancing health, safety and working conditions for the employees at our production partners. In 2011, we conducted our first sustainability audit at one of our partners, covering social accountability and environmental performance. We are transparent in our findings, focusing on both the well-functioning aspects and areas for improvement. Acting on these insights, we set up plans for improvement and work hard to implement them, which also benefits the factories we work with. We want to be a partner to our suppliers and customers, working together for a more sustainable industry with growth and profitability for all.
Nivika is a real estate company in Småland focusing on long-term ownership, property management and development of high-yielding commercial and residential properties and thereby creating profitable and sustainable value growth. The business concept is to be an attractive, secure and long-term property owner with the tenant in focus. With local anchoring, presence and knowledge, conditions are created for profitable growth for Nivika. Profitability enables us to manage and develop both commercial properties for development of the local industry as well as residential properties to enable development of the local society with a sustainable focus. For Nivika it is important being a part of creating a base for the city to be attractive for both citizens and companies, together we create the future.
Today we know that everything we manufacture has an impact on our world, as we are a product company and about 80% of the environmental impact occurs during production, we are extra proud to only produce what we sell. During our fiscal year 2022/23, we had 0.3% overproduction, which can be compared to the industry average of over 20%. Selling everything we purchase is not only positive for our environmental footprint but also for our profitability. If we can then, through our marketing, motivate and inspire customer to use their multifunctional products often and for a long time, this is our most important contribution to sustainable development.
We at Sdiptech are very proud of our sustainable business model – to acquire and develop companies that enhance sustainability, efficiency, and safety in societies. Our commitment is not only a moral imperative but a strategic choice, as we believe in the long-term profitability and growth potential of socially and environmentally responsible businesses. Our strongest contribution to the society emerges from our business units’ products and services, which directly contribute to social and climate-related sustainability. In addition, we are developing and helping our existing SMEs, which otherwise have limited resources, to ramp up their sustainability agenda.
Sortera is a fast-growing provider of sustainable solutions, enabling a more circular construction sector in Northern Europe. Our broad range of services contribute to e.g., increased material recycling and re-use of products. We also offer professional handling and treatment of contaminated soil and water, including PFAS-treatment, to the benefit of the local environment. Our skilled employees have industry-leading competence and work closely with our customers to find the most sustainable solutions. Sortera has more than doubled in size during 2021 to 2023 and our ambition is to continue this growth trajectory and contribute to creating a more sustainable future.
At Speed Group, we take immense pride in our journey toward carbon neutrality, a goal we ambitiously set and remarkably achieved by 2023, surpassing our initial target of 2025. This achievement showcases our commitment to sustainability, underscored by a significant 66% reduction in emissions and a substantial 60% revenue growth over the past three years. From implementing the Nordics’ largest rooftop solar installation to seemingly small changes like adopting foam soap, every initiative contributes to our environmental goals. Our positive eNPS trend reflects the tangible impact on employee satisfaction, and our decentralized sustainability approach ensures its integration into the core of our organization. With the overarching goal of achieving CO2 neutrality, this holistic commitment has not only enhanced our corporate image but also driven profitability, affirming that sustainability is a cornerstone of our business success.
SR Energy vill driva Sveriges energiomställning genom att tillföra förnybar elproduktion. Vi bygger och äger vindkraft i södra Sverige, där behovet av energi är som störst. Vår affärsmodell bygger på ett hållbart agerande med fokus på långsiktighet, effektivitet och omsorg. Vi tar ansvar hela vägen – från projektering till produktion och senare avveckling. Våra medarbetare säkerställer att vi tar hänsyn för vår påverkan, att leverantörer följer vår uppförandekod, att vi investerar i vindturbiner av högsta kvalitet, att vi driver våra vindparker effektivt och avvecklar dem ansvarsfullt. Vi stannar och tar ansvar, därför har vi lyckats etablera oss som Sveriges största ägare av landbaserad vindkraft.
Sustainability from an economic, environmental, and social perspective is crucial for the long-term sustainability of Wibax’s work on sustainability, we call it sustainability for real. Based on that philosophy, we have set our goal to have a 100% electrified heavy vehicle fleet by 2030 with self-owned charging infrastructure at our terminals and at our customers. In addition, our transition should not have a negative impact on Sweden’s electricity supply, which is why we also aim for our vehicles to be 100% powered by self-produced electricity from new capacity of sustainably produced electricity. We are leading an industry change that will give us financial savings in the short and long term, reduced emissions equivalent to 8000 cars annually and a significantly improved working environment for our drivers.
The winners will be announced on April 23rd – stay tuned!
