UBS Growth Talk #15
Success thanks to sustainability
Sustainability is a concern for every company, regardless of the industry in which it operates. In the latest Growth Talk, Balz Hegg (Swissframe AG) and Roland Dysli (K. Dysli AG) discuss goals and hurdles of their sustainability efforts.
Three key takeaways from the UBS Growth Talk #15
Three key takeaways from the UBS Growth Talk #15
- Think about which sustainability measures best suit your company and how they can be implemented.
- Stay informed about technological advancements in your industry.
- Set short, medium, and long-term sustainability goals.
Building technology and transportation – two industries that are confronted with particularly high sustainability requirements. Balz Hegg, CEO of Swissframe AG, and Roland Dysli, Member of Executive Management at K. Dysli AG, talk about expectations, opportunities and challenges in implementing sustainability in their companies.
Watch the talk directly as a video or listen to the conversation as a podcast:
The concept of sustainability encompasses three key aspects: environmental, social and economic. These aspects are closely linked. In practice, companies often focus on environmentally friendly measures (environmental aspect), such as reducing emissions and using resources responsibly. However, social and governance components also play an important role – especially social responsibility, for example in the form of fair working conditions throughout the supply chain and the promotion of diversity and inclusion. When implementing sustainability in a company, it is important to find a balance between short-term financial goals and long-term ecological and social commitments, supported by solid governance.
Two pillars of the sustainability strategy
Two pillars of the sustainability strategy
Innovative energy-saving solutions such as heat pumps and solar power systems are already widely used in building technology, particularly in heating and energy systems. These technologies have made significant advances in recent years. This is where Swissframe AG comes in: Their goal is to replace CO₂-intensive heating systems in multiple-unit properties with more efficient, sustainable alternatives. “Swissframe is pursuing a two-pronged sustainability strategy”, says Balz Hegg. “On the one hand, we are optimizing the building technology in our own buildings, while on the other hand, we are driving forward technological innovations. For example, a boiler solution that can reduce energy consumption by up to 70 percent. A crucial advantage: The modular components are not permanently attached to the building and can be easily recycled, even after 30 years of use.”
The takeaway: Sustainability can be implemented on various levels. It can be integrated into everyday business operations, where money is generated, as well as within the company's infrastructure.
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Efficient solutions for local transportation
Efficient solutions for local transportation
Efforts towards sustainable solutions are also being made in road traffic. While electric cars are increasingly dominating the market for personal vehicles, heavy goods vehicles face greater obstacles. K. Dysli AG, a long-established travel and transportation company, is facing the challenge of making its fleet of 50 mostly diesel-powered coaches and trucks more sustainable. In local transportation, the first steps have already been taken: the company recently acquired its first electric truck. Here, there are options such as efficient route planning. “If we set off early in the morning, we can be back by midday and there is still enough time to recharge the vehicle before it is used again,” says Roland Dysli. However, the electrification of long-distance transportation is still a problem. “The range of the vehicles is limited, and the charging network is not designed for the requirements of heavy goods vehicles and even less for long-distance transportation.”
The takeaway: The optimization of sustainable technologies takes longer in some industries than in others.
The current charging network is not designed for the requirements of heavy goods vehicles and even less for those of long-distance transportation.
Roland Dysli, Member of Executive Management at K. Dysli AG
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Ecological and economic benefits through investments
Ecological and economic benefits through investments
The same applies in building technology: While the technological modernization of single-family properties is very advanced today, multiple-unit properties pose a greater challenge due to their more complex building technology systems.
“The systems for heating, hot water and ventilation must be precisely controlled to ensure high energy efficiency,” explains Balz Hegg. Swissframe is currently working on these controllable modules. “It’s a big investment,” says Hegg, who is convinced of its benefits: “Our systems make multiple-unit properties future-proof and reduce energy consumption and costs sustainably.”
The takeaway: Targeted investment can generate major ecological and economic benefits.
Our systems make multiple-unit properties future-proof and reduce energy consumption and costs sustainably.
Balz Hegg, CEO of Swissframe AG
Uncertainty caused by economic and political conditions
Uncertainty caused by economic and political conditions
Roland Dysli also sees the need for investment, especially in order to remain competitive. For local transport, the purchase of electric vehicles currently pays off due to the exemption from the performance-based heavy goods vehicle tax (LSVA). However, this regulation only applies until 2030. “The question is whether the vehicles will pay off within five to six years before new regulatory changes are introduced,” says Dysli. This represents a considerable investment risk for the transport industry. “These uncertainties make it difficult to fully commit to alternative drive systems right now.”
The takeaway: Investing in sustainability can help to remain competitive.
Possible regulatory changes can represent an investment risk.
Roland Dysli
Transformation of building technology
Transformation of building technology
Balz Hegg has set itself the ambitious goal of completely transforming building technology. The aim is to continuously optimize energy consumption by digitalizing building technology systems. “Digital solutions and artificial intelligence make it possible to adapt the demand for hot water and ventilation precisely to the actual needs of residents and thus use energy even more efficiently,” he says. “For us, this transformation is crucial to the success of the sustainability strategy, as it offers both ecological and economic benefits.”
The takeaway: Digital solutions and artificial intelligence are helping to implement sustainability strategies.
Keeping an eye on technological developments
Keeping an eye on technological developments
K. Dysli AG also pursues long-term sustainability goals, but chooses a more cautious approach. “We want to find the best solutions for our company and are focusing on a gradual transition,” emphasizes Roland Dysli. Despite the uncertainties regarding charging infrastructure and vehicle amortization, the company remains positive and is focusing on continuous technological progress in order to remain sustainable and competitive in the long term. He hopes that technological developments will improve over the next few years and that the problems with the charging infrastructure, especially for long distances, will be solved. K. Dysli AG closely monitors technological developments on the market. Roland Dysli is convinced that “decarbonization will inevitably occur – the only question is the rate at which it will happen.”
The takeaway: Continuous technological progress is needed in order to remain sustainable and competitive in the long term.
Decarbonization will inevitably occur – the only question is the rate at which it will happen.
Roland Dysli
Roland Dysli
Roland Dysli
Member of Executive Management at K. Dysli AG
K. Dysli AG is a family-owned business in Bern, operating in the travel and transportation sector since 1955. With a fleet of over 50 vehicles, including coaches, minibuses, classic cars and trucks, the company offers a wide range of services, from group tours and wedding trips to relocations and refrigerated transport. Roland Dysli has been the managing director of the company since 2014, overseeing operations alongside his two brothers. The graduate in business administration previously worked in management consulting at Helsana.
Balz Hegg
Balz Hegg
CEO of Swissframe AG
Balz Hegg founded Swissframe AG back in 2008 as a spin-off of Hegg Sanitaer AG, which he had taken over in 2003. Swissframe, which is headquartered in Muenchenbuchsee, specializes in the standardization and prefabrication of bathrooms for multiple-unit properties. Through the use of efficient and resource-conserving construction processes, state-of-the-art technologies and a focus on digitalization, the company continuously strives for improvements and innovations in the building industry. Balz Hegg is also a co-founder of Netto Null Kollektiv, which connects Swiss companies that are driving the modernization and digitalization of the building industry.
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