Hammarviken is an unusually exciting investment company. The family-run group brings together a variety of companies with different focuses. Fruktbudet, construction company BESAB, fall protection expert SafetyRespect, the house builders at Hällingsjö Hus - the list goes on.
The group, founded in 2004 by Mona and Mats Rydhede, invests in commercial real estate. Hammarviken also makes direct investments in and develops profitable companies with the ambition to grow and turnaround companies. In addition, Hammarviken operates Yuncture, an innovation hub for start-up entrepreneurs.
Sustainability puts everything on the line
Although the subsidiaries are almost always majority-owned by Hammarviken, they are largely self-governing. The fact that the companies are also at different stages of the development journey means many opportunities, but also puts everything to the test. How do you keep sustainability work together in a group with such different conditions, challenges and needs?
That is a question that Månstråle Dahlström took on. As sustainability manager at Hammarviken, it was her task to take a comprehensive approach to sustainability work. Something that would prove to be easier said than done.
The diversity at Hammarviken makes it fun and complicated at the same time. We needed to get our act together.
- The diversity of Hammarviken made it fun and complicated at the same time. We love the strong entrepreneurial spirit and passion for building businesses. To be present in so many industries and to meet at different parts of the business journey is a huge asset that we cherish. At the same time, it was clear that Hammarviken had grown considerably and that we needed to get our act together.
Månstråle Dahlström, Sustainability Manager at Hammarviken
The need for a common vision
Hammarviken's many different companies meant that the starting point for sustainability work differed quite a bit. To say the least.
- Our group has always been value-driven, but we started at very different places in the concrete work. Some companies had ISO certifications, some had a strong sustainability profile but no clear structure. There were simply a lot of differences. That's why it was important to set a common sustainability vision for the entire group, while the companies have their own visions.
For Månstråle, it was natural to build on the values that Hammarviken has built its business on. The key words openness, honesty, respect and competence formed the basis for the sustainability work, when it came to gathering around a common vision.
Starting point in the subsidiaries
The next step was to begin work on sustainability reporting. Here, we started from the other end - based on the needs of the subsidiaries. The data collected is just a tool for business development, management and change management. As the parent company, Hammarviken needed to set the direction and provide the right conditions. Among other things, there was a need for a structure to enable the companies to report in a simple way.
This is where Stratsys comes into the story.
- We were choosing between five different competitors. For us, it was crucial to be able to build the sustainability reporting based on the needs of the subsidiaries, so that they can use this data in their development. In addition, we wanted to be able to aggregate the companies' sustainability data to work strategically. In all this, there was one supplier that stood out.
According to Månstråle, the business case was crucial in choosing Stratsys. This is an issue that is closely linked to the ability to work with data:
Thanks to Stratsys, we can manage data on multiple levels. We can manage data in different ways in different companies, and aggregate it in the group.
- Thanks to Stratsys, we could manage data at multiple levels, in different ways in different companies, and aggregate it in the group. Some may have a dozen key figures while others have an uncountable number. Something that is particularly gratifying is also that it became more visual the further we got. It became easy to follow the red thread in the process. We look forward to seeing all the data finalized in the system.
Solid foundation to stand on
Even though the work of taking a common approach to sustainability work started just over a year ago, Månstråle and his colleagues at Hammarviken have already come a long way.
- We started the work with a gap analysis and a double materiality assessment. The companies evaluated value chains, interviewed stakeholders and selected key performance indicators based on their business needs. Much of the work has been about laying a solid foundation. We have already started to be able to use this data for different contexts and needs.
Genuinely responsive
Implementing Stratsys has meant that Månstråle has had a lively dialog with the team at Stratsys. Sometimes it has been about clarifying issues, other times it has been about adapting the system to Hammarviken's needs. And sometimes it has been about a need to quickly fix something in the system. Whatever the case, the response has always been positive.
The dialog with Stratsys has been extremely positive, right through. I have felt listened to and become a little wiser.
- I have probably asked hundreds of questions and asked for help. The dialog with Stratsys has been extremely positive, right through. I have felt listened to and have become a little wiser. In addition, I feel that Stratsys is genuinely responsive to our needs. Especially the fact that we start from the companies' structures and changing needs, while aggregating everything at the parent company level.
I would definitely recommend Stratsys, precisely because the solution is so data-driven.
- I would definitely recommend Stratsys, precisely because it is computerized. It's built to help us as a company through the whole process and download specific reports. In the platform, we can gather all the reporting work in one place. This means extra security if, for example, someone leaves the company.
Already starting to bear fruit
Hammarviken has laid the foundation for future sustainability work. And Månstråle can already see that it is beginning to bear fruit:
- Our companies are part of their own value chains, where they are already experiencing increased inquiries as a result of sustainability work. During the process, it has become clear to the companies what sustainability can contribute. And not just in terms of the ability to respond to customer enquiries. The double materiality assessment has also led to new insights and opportunities to incorporate into business development.
Although the sustainability journey for Hammarviken has only just begun, it has already come a long way.
If you want to know more about how Stratsys can help you in your sustainability work, please contact us and we will be happy to tell you more. You can also read more about Stratsys product for Sustainability Management here.
