Sustainability – an integrated part of our business idea

Storskogen's infinite ownership horizon is central to our business model, which means that we have an ambition to remain as owners in acquired businesses. Consequently, sustainability is a natural part of our business model to ensure that our companies will remain and continue to be profitable and relevant in the future. Our approach to sustainability, or ESG (Environment, Social, Governance), begins from the time we evaluate possible acquisitions until the companies become part of our business area organization with ongoing work on strategic development, follow-up and reporting.

Sustainability policy

Storskogen's Head of Sustainability, Amelie Nordin, talks about Storskogen's sustainability focus - how the work is structured and why it is an integral part of Storskogen's business model.

E, S and G - from acquisition to management

Storskogen approaches sustainability based on a structured process that starts when we evaluate possible acquisition candidates – to get an overall picture of what the conditions look like from an ESG perspective for the specific company's future, its competitiveness and financial position. We only acquire companies whose business model are determined to be relevant and attractive for future customers, employees and society – which means that we exclude companies in a number of areas such as tobacco, gambling companies and the arms industry.

The basis for our possibility to influence the companies that are acquired and its work with ESG targets derives from the majority ownership Storskogen has in all acquired companies and by representatives from Storskogen ensuring that all company boards have ESG on their agenda. The material aspects and KPIs that each board are required to address are divided into environmental aspects (E), social aspects (S) and governance aspects (G). The material aspects we address in these areas is explained further below.

Sustainability in our business model

Sustainability

Fokus på ”E” i ESG

In 2020, a materiality analysis was made of the Group-wide sustainability aspects that Storskogen identified in 2019, which we reported on in Storskogens Annual Report 2020.

Storskogen's climate work was prioritized in 2020, when the company's first climate accounting was made. This work has continued during 2021 and has been used to develop Storskogen's Climate Strategy, which is in line with the Paris Agreement with the aim of being climate neutral by 2030.

During the fall of 2021, Storskogen committed to The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and we now have 24 months to get our goals validated.

Sustainability

Focus on ”S” in ESG

Material aspects that Storskogen focuses on in its aim to be a sustainable employer targets health and safety, diversity and inclusion and support for the local communities where our companies are present. Storskogen often acquires companies that are important employers in smaller towns, and we believe that keeping local communities thriving contributes to value creation through local know-how and proximity to the customer. Success is also based on good and long-term relationships with key players in the companies' business environment, including authorities, suppliers and employee organizations. Being an attractive employer is also an essential part of a long-term perspective, which is reflected in, among other things, working for workplace training and advancement of skills.

The focus area during the autumn of 2021 and the spring of 2022 is diversity and inclusion.

Sustainability

Focus on ”G” in ESG

Profitable and well-managed companies are a necessity for Storskogen's continued success and well-functioning corporate governance is key. Storskogen expects that group companies deliver good operating results by making sustainable and business-driven decisions. The companies are included in the Group's policies and structure for financial management and control, while business decisions remain with each company. One of the advantages of being part of a larger Group is that the companies have access to steering documents, have an ability to exchange experience and gain support on large and important issues that can be complex and expensive to handle as separate companies.

Among the policies that ensure good corporate governance are the code of conduct that was launched in the autumn of 2020 and Storskogen's anti-corruption policy, which established a zero tolerance of corruption and describes the guidelines for unauthorized benefits and actions.

Whistleblowing service

Storskogen strives to maintain a transparent business climate and high business ethics. We value the safety and respect of everyone affected by our business. Our whistleblowing service allows you to anonymously sound the alarm if you suspect something that is not in line with our values and ethical principles or that may seriously affect our organisation or the life or health of an individual person. To ensure an anonymous means of communication, our whistleblowing service is administrated by an external service provider, WhistleB. All messages are encrypted.

Follow the link to reach the external whistleblowing service and more information:

whistleblowing service

Contact for sustainability queries

If you want to know more about how we approach sustainability at Storskogen, please contact Storskogen's Head of Sustainability, Amelie Nordin.

Amelie Nordin, Head of Sustainability
E: amelie.nordin@storskogen.com