Employee profile –
Martina Novak

In one way, it was affinity at first sight: I got to know Planzer as a company that combines tradition and modernity in a very authentic way. The credo of operating sustainably – in others words, thinking about future generations – is particularly important for a family-run company. Transport and warehouse logistics also move and connect our economy and society. With this bridging position, the levers to make a difference in terms of sustainability are significant.

It is important to develop a common understanding of where we are heading – in terms of environmental factors, workplace issues and also the company’s socio-political responsibility. Based on this, we can set specific targets and derive measures. This also includes setting up a management system to monitor implementation and ensure transparent reporting and communication. It is also particularly important to me that we remain in constant dialogue with our customers and suppliers as we go down this path and that our staff support our efforts.

Sustainability is currently characterised by great dynamism, but much is still in development. It isn’t easy to find your way through this jungle and keep a good overview. I will be relying on a wealth of experience and a large network to help navigate us through it all. I also want to activate the slumbering potential within the company. We have created a task force to do this, with representatives from different areas. That’s because implementation will only succeed if our sustainability efforts are anchored in all of our divisions and supported by them.

Sustainability starts with each and every one of us. Ultimately, it’s about how we deal with our livelihoods and labour resources. For companies, the sustainability journey is accompanied by opportunities and challenges, although we often only see the latter. I also want to make the former tangible for our employees. I want to show that sustainability is not only good for the environment, it also helps to create a better place to work, provides an important service for society and ultimately results in cost savings and competitive advantages.

At the moment, no two days are the same – and that’s what makes it so exciting. On the one hand, I am doing the important groundwork that can then be built on with other steps. I’m looking, for example, at how we can measure our carbon footprint in the most meaningful way. I’m also discussing, internally and externally, different ways and means of tackling our sustainability journey. This will lead to a roadmap for our sustainability work in the coming years.

Whenever possible, I spend time in nature, by the North Sea or cooking – which is what I really enjoy doing, although I won’t be winning a Michelin star any time soon 🙂 I’ve also been a local councillor in the City of Zurich’s parliament for the past four years, where I’m involved on the committee for environmental and health issues and am also co-chair of the Green-Liberal group. This political work keeps challenging me, but I also gain a lot from it.

‘Fortune favours the brave’ – this motto has helped me get through many situations in life. I think it’s important to push yourself out of your comfort zone from time to time, for your own personal development as well as to advance a particular cause. When it comes to sustainability, a quote by Molière that helps me: ‘It’s not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable’. I think that speaks for itself.