Corporate Social Responsibility
We take responsibility
As a nationwide group of companies with over 90 years of history and several thousand employees, we bear a great responsibility: for our business partners, employees, society, and the environment.
We are aware of this responsibility – and we gladly accept it.
We are committed to sustainable management that forms the economic, ecological, and social foundation for future generations.
Economic sustainability
Since its founding in 1934, the KÖTTER Group has been a family-owned company. We are 100% independent of financial investors and shareholders, and therefore free from short-term profit expectations.
Our decisions are guided by a long-term perspective. Our economic approach and financial independence give us the freedom to respond quickly to changing situations.
All our partners (customers, employees, suppliers) can rely on the financial stability of the KÖTTER Group—regardless of economic fluctuations. This fosters trust and security for everyone involved.
In addition, we place great value on long-term partnerships in all areas. We firmly believe that long-term partnerships are more sustainable in every respect than short-term profit-oriented ones.
KÖTTER CSR Report
Using concrete figures, data, and facts, we provide information about our comprehensive commitment to ecological, economic, and social sustainability: Discover our e-paper or the PDF file. Would you like to regularly learn more about our activities? Sign up now for our free newsletter.
Ecological sustainability
As a family business, we see it as our responsibility to pass on an intact environment to future generations. Various measures contribute to this, including:
- We train and raise awareness among our employees about environmental protection.
- We promote the use of alternative drive systems (electric cars, hybrid vehicles) and are building a network of charging stations for electric vehicles at our company locations.
- Green electricity: Almost 100% of the electricity consumed throughout the KÖTTER Group is green electricity – our goal is a full 100%.
- We promote digital solutions (as an alternative to, for example, sending invoices, payroll statements, etc. by mail) to reduce paper consumption.
- We rely on the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products at our own locations and at our customers' sites.
- Certified environmental protection: KÖTTER Cleaning is certified according to ISO 14001.
- We review, evaluate, and optimize the environmental impact of our services, technical equipment, and the cleaning products we use.
Social sustainability
For decades, the KÖTTER Group has supported social and charitable initiatives, as well as regional cultural institutions and sports clubs. We do this with the awareness and conviction that our funding not only serves the common good, but also gives many people the opportunity to achieve personal goals and realize their little dreams.
muTiger Foundation
We take social responsibility seriously – not only within our corporate group, but also in society as a whole. That's why we founded the muTiger Foundation in 2011 together with the Rhine-Ruhr Transport Association (VRR). Our shared goal is to promote helpfulness and civil courage in society. In nearly 1,000 training courses, around 14,000 participants have already been shown how to behave correctly in critical situations and help others without putting themselves in danger. To set a good example, all our trainees from North Rhine-Westphalia take part in the foundation's course in their first year of training.
JOBLINGE initiative
We provide opportunities – that's why we've been supporting the JOBLINGE initiative for several years. The initiative gives young people with challenging starting conditions a second chance at entering the world of work. The specific "JOBLINGE Compass" program was also developed to support the integration of young refugees. We have been supporting this non-profit organization strategically, financially, and practically for several years. Friedrich P. Kötter is also personally committed to the initiative and is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Joblinge gAG Ruhr. The JOBLINGE initiative and JOBLINGE Compass have already successfully recruited trainees for the companies of the KÖTTER Group.
Essen University Medicine Foundation
We think outside the box – that's why the Essen University Medicine Foundation is so important to us. The foundation's goal is to support projects at Essen University Hospital and the University of Duisburg-Essen that go beyond basic medical care, advance innovative research, ensure the excellent training of future physicians, and further expand optimal patient care. Martina Kötter is personally committed to the foundation and has been a member of its board of trustees since 2011.
