“The materials we use. The suppliers we work with. The way we transport our products. The means of transport our employees use to get to work. The food we serve in the canteen. At Quooker, we try in every possible way to make conscious choices that are good for people and the environment,” says Sam Smeets, who has been Sustainability Manager at Quooker since January 2024. “That has been a core principle of our company philosophy from the very beginning. After all, the Quooker tap is a product that is convenient for people while also saving energy and water.” Pioneering As Sustainability Manager, Sam works closely with all departments within Quooker. He provides department managers with insight into the impact their teams can make and the steps needed to achieve it. He supports them in developing sustainability strategies and acts as a sparring partner during implementation, with the goal of increasing social impact and reducing environmental impact. “What’s really great is that sustainability thinking is already deeply embedded in the organization. There’s a lot of positive energy and drive to improve. Colleagues are enthusiastic and eager to learn what they can do in their roles to influence the company’s impact. People want to move forward and learn from each other. What we’re doing together really feels like pioneering.”

Achieving impact The five sustainability themes that Quooker prioritizes are: energy saving, drinking water conservation, lifespan and circularity, climate neutrality, and care for people. Recently, a major impact assessment was carried out within Quooker to determine how each department can contribute to these themes.

“We now have a very clear understanding of where improvements can be made. There are especially strong opportunities within the Research and Development department, as they design our products. Small changes in product design or production methods can make a big difference. The HR department is also highly driven. To increase social impact, for example, they offer training in personal leadership and introduced a vitality program to keep employees healthy and fit. The freedom to initiate new projects and innovate is quite unique—that’s exactly what makes my work so enjoyable.”

Published on 03-09-2024