Krists Mertens has been appointed as Director of Decarbonisation and Energy Projects at SCHWENK Latvija. The newly created position will be responsible for implementing carbon capture projects at the Brocēni cement plant so that by 2030 the building materials industry in Latvia and Northern Europe can use cement with minimised CO2 emissions in the production process.

Mertens gained his experience in management and the energy sector in Latvia, having worked for Enefit for the last eight years. He has served on the company’s Board of Directors since 2018 and as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board since 2020. Previous work experience related to financial consulting and banking sector. Mertens holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Economics from Riga Technical University and a Master’s degree in International Business Administration (MBA) from Riga Business School.

Reinhold Schneider, Chairman of the Management Board of SCHWENK Latvija and CEO of SCHWENK Northern Europe, points out that cement production is an emissions-intensive process, which is why the company has been making targeted investments for several years to reduce its climate and environmental impact. Our challenge for the next five years is to build carbon capture and related infrastructure and technologies at the Brocēni cement plant to provide cement with the lowest possible climate and environmental impact to customers in Latvia and export countries.

The Brocēni cement plant is expected to become the first industrial facility in the Baltic Sea region and one of the first in Europe to capture CO2 from the production process using innovative technologies, which will then be transported to specially adapted disposal sites, explains Mertens, pointing out that its benefits will be felt not only in the building materials and construction sectors.

SCHWENK Latvija Board Member, Director of Human Capital and Administration Linda Šedlere emphasizes that at SCHWENK Latvija we combine good and safe working conditions on a daily basis with equal treatment and an inclusive work environment for everyone who works for us. By embracing diversity management as one of our core employment values, we are able to attract employees from diverse backgrounds, increase productivity and foster an inclusive work environment.

Participation in the Diversity Assessment and the Family Friendly Workplace Assessment allows us to assess whether we are taking good enough care of our employees. This year, we are re-applying for the assessment to see our progress and whether we have been able to implement the experts’ recommendations.

As the new school year begins, we wish that everyone is driven forward by the desire to know more!

May this year be full of exciting learning and achievements!

For the first time, the company is certified by the Concrete Sustainability Council (CSC). This certifies our high standards in concrete production – we are environmentally, socially and economically responsible. We are the first concrete producer in Latvia to have received such a certificate.

Member of the Board of SCHWENK Latvija and Director of the Materials Business Unit Jegors Golubevs says about the certificate: Sustainability is at the core of SCHWENK Latvija business. The CSC certificate is a valuable performance assessment tool that helps us identify our strengths and areas for improvement. It reflects our commitment to acting responsibly in all aspects of sustainability – environmental, social and governance. In addition, CSC certification meets standards such as LEED and BREEAM, increasing our customers’ confidence in their suppliers and value chain.

Responsible sourcing certificate for concrete and its supply chain (concrete plant in Rīga) 1389-CSC24-2024 Zertifikat RMX Riga

Responsible sourcing certificate for concrete and its supply chain (concrete plant in Mārupe) 1388-CSC24-2024 Certificate RMX Marupe

The SCHWENK Latvija Sustainability Report 2023 has been published. The Report summarises the company’s performance in various sustainability aspects.

“One of our values is for future generations. It always means long-term thinking and responsible planning. Sometimes it means quiet and hard work. Exactly what we did in 2023,” says Reinhold Schneider, Chairman of the Management Board SCHWENK Latvija, CEO SCHWENK Northern Europe.

The Sustainability Report is available here: https://schwenk.lv/en/sustainability/public-reports/

On 12 July, the second Mission Zero Safety [Enthusiasts] Festival took place all day at the training ground of BOTC Training. The aim of the event was for the participants – employer representatives – to support each other by sharing best practices, networking, gaining new knowledge and reinforcing what they have learned so far. This year, the content and activities of the festival focused on areas that are relevant to everyone’s daily life, and also raise awareness on how to prepare for the “X” hour. The festival programme included: practical sessions on fire safety and fire fighting, first aid for adults and children in emergency situations, rescuing people from hard-to-reach places and being prepared to use and prepare the content of a 72-hour bag. The thematic work stations and activities during the festival were provided by the Ministry of Defence, 1st Riga Brigade of the Home Guard, BOTC Training, FN SERVISS, Children’s Clinical University Hospital, Emergency Medical Aid Centre and State Real Estate.

Linda Šedlere, the initiator of the Mission Zero initiative, Board Member and Human Capital Director of SCHWENK Latvija, commented on the choice of the main theme of the Mission Zero Safety Festival – civil protection as an essential part of the safety system of the Mission Zero participants – saying that “Employers play an important role in civil protection, as it is the responsibility of every legal entity to safeguard the environment, where employees are trained and prepared to deal with both everyday safety situations and hazards and disasters, where there is a practical understanding of the necessary facilities and information, where safety and an awareness of preparedness to act appropriately in the workplace can mitigate or prevent potential negative impacts. Today, Mission Zero brings together 102 employers who together employ more than 54 000 employees, which in the context of civil protection is a significant resource and asset if we understand that the responsible actions of each of these workers in their working and living environment can contribute to the proper performance of civil protection duties for the common good of society, because by working together we can do and achieve more.”

To help Mission Zero participants better fulfil these roles and responsibilities, officials from the State Fire and Rescue Service and the Radiation Safety Centre of the State Environmental Service discussed with Mission Zero participants the role of employers in implementing the national civil protection policy and planning activities as part of a company’s safe work culture.

The Mission Zero initiative sets a common goal: to make health and safety a company’s priority values in every aspect of its operations and in its interactions with society, by reducing the number of fatalities caused by work and related external conditions, by significantly reducing the number of workplace accidents, by aiming for zero and by preventively implementing measures to protect and preserve workers’ health.

The transition to a climate-neutral economy is a transformation of the same magnitude that the world experienced during the industrial and digital revolutions. Along with a series of uncertainties and challenges, there are already many opportunities for the development of new businesses, increasing competitiveness and economic growth, not only at the business level, but also at the national level.

While the governments of other countries have been working purposefully for several years on new business directions, changing infrastructure and systems, competing for the development of regional solutions in their countries, Latvia has set climate goals within the framework of the EU Green Deal, but the efforts to achieve them are very sluggish. We have many strong companies, bright minds and responsible people. But why do we stop ourselves in fear of the unknown in front of such a huge opportunity? Why do we focus on the risks instead of the opportunities? Are we ready to reconcile lagging behind the efforts and achievements of other countries in the Baltic Sea region, trusting that we will be fine without investing our efforts?

Experts from various fields discussed how to turn green whining into green winning. They searched for solutions for the development of new business directions, using the opportunities of the green economy, and ensure Latvia’s competitiveness through sustainable management. Let’s be inspired by good examples of what can be done.

At the Brocēni cement plant we hosted participants of the Golden Helmet competition for good practice in labour protection organised by the State Labour Inspectorate, representatives of the Business Efficiency Association and the glass fibre manufacturer Valmieras stikla šķiedra and Swedbank Baltic States Sustainability Team.

We are pleased with the interest of our guests in the cement production process, our sustainability challenges, solutions for well-being – H&S of employees.

During the solstice, with the financial support of SCHWENK Latvija a unique sundial showing the local time of Saldus was unveiled at the Janis Rozentāls Saldus History and Art Museum. It is shaped like a fan, inspired by the fan of Ellija Forsele-Rozentāle and the works of Janis Rozentāls, which have Art Nouveau features, while the concrete is tinted green to integrate with the architecture of the surrounding buildings. The original of the fan is currently available for visitors to see in the museum as well. In summer, the sundial differs from modern time by an hour and a half, and in winter – by half an hour.

At the end of the school year, a bicycle maintenance station was opened at Saldus Secondary School, which can be used by everyone to carry out minimal maintenance work on their own for safe cycling.

Congratulations on the most magical holiday of the year – on Midsummer holidays!