The issue of sustainability has played a significant role in the PHW Group for decades, and is a key component of the company´s corporate philosophy.

At the official presentation of this certificate by IFTA AG, Managing Director Jürgen Loibl said: “For us, a sustainable approach to business means taking responsibility for improving one's own processes.

“I am therefore particularly pleased that in addition to our colleagues Nienburger Geflügelspezialitäten based in Wietzen/Holte, Märkische Geflügelhof-Spezialitäten in Königs Wusterhausen and Geestland Putenspezialitäten in Wildeshausen, our company Donautal Geflügelspezialitäten in Bogen has now also been successfully certified in accordance with the ZNU (Center for Sustainable Leadership) 'Sustainable Food Business' standard.”

Over recent months, the cross-divisional sustainability team, led by Claudia Ehmann, has worked intensively on the three dimensions of sustainable management – ecological, economical and social – and has created an extensive range of targets within the scope of quality, hygiene and energy management.

Dr Jörn Karge from IFTA AG Berlin commented: “The audit for certification to the ZNU standard is extremely thorough. Amongst other things, it is assessed whether sufficient resources are channelled into ensuring that sustainability goals are reached. The use of renewable energies and innovative environmental technologies, quality management, the programme of measures to guarantee compliance with animal welfare standards, the quality of consumer information, further training opportunities for staff and social involvement all form part of this audit.”

During the audit, particular recognition was given to the development and marketing of the Wiesenhof Privathof poultry concept, which offers verifiably higher levels of animal welfare.

Mr Loibl sais: “Sustainability is of top priority in everything we do. Over the past few years, we have invested a lot into improving the process and systems technology. It's great to see that our day-to-day commitment is now being recognised and that Donautal Geflügelspezialitäten passed the audit with 100 per cent.”

The group´s continuous commitment to the cause proves that sustainability is more than just a buzzword for the PHW Group. Following the successful certification of Nienburger Geflügelspezialitäten, Märkische Geflügelhof-Spezialitäten, Geestland Putenspezialitäten and Donautal Geflügelspezialitäten, the PHW Group´s slaughterhouses in Möckern and Lohne and the Wiesenhof poultry sausage processing operation in Rietberg are now preparing for certification to the ZNU standard.

The image above shows the sustainability team in Bogen with their certificate for the ZNU 'Sustainable Food Business' standard: from left to right: Michael Freilinger (Quality Management Representative), Johann Schmid (Head of Live Animal Reception, Animal Welfare Representative), Claudia Ehmann (Sustainability Representative, QA), Christian Lehner (Head of Administration), Erwin Kronberger (Head of Technology), Michael Haake (2nd. Works Council, Technology Purchasing), Jürgen Loibl (Management).