“Social responsibility and climate protection are two important factors”

The Westeifel Werke group of companies manufactures street furniture with the help of people with disabilities. The production processes have to be adapted to promote people’s strengths and at the same time reduce the consumption of resources. Roland Thommes explains what ecological and social responsibility means for sustainable development.

What measures does Westeifel Werke take to minimize the impact on the urban microclimate in the production of street furniture?

Selection of materials: We use materials that come to us from a sustainable economy.

Longevity : By producing more durable products that need to be replaced less frequently, the need for short replacement cycles is reduced, thereby reducing energy consumption during production and transportation in the long term.

Energy-efficient production: Modern machinery and optimized manufacturing processes ensure low electricity consumption. When selecting our electricity supplier, we attach great importance to regionally generated, green electricity.

Conservation of resources: We focus on reducing the consumption of resources by continuously optimizing our production methods and taking care to minimize the excess consumption of our raw materials when developing new products.

How does Westeifel Werke promote social sustainability in urban development through employment in workshops for the disabled?

Inclusion and participation: By employing people with disabilities, Westeifel Werke creates inclusive jobs that enable these people to actively participate in social life. This promotes social integration and reduces social inequalities.

What special challenges and opportunities arise from the production of heat-resistant street furniture in workshops for the disabled?

The challenges are:

Cost of specialized equipment: the purchase and maintenance of specialized machinery capable of efficiently processing the required wood cross-sections and types of wood results in higher costs.

Adaptation of production processes: production processes need to be adapted to suit the individual skills of employees and to promote strengths.

Opportunities are:

Inclusion and challenging tasks: Involvement in the production of street furniture offers people with disabilities the opportunity to work on technically challenging and socially important projects. This strengthens their professional development and self-confidence.

Development of new skills: Production requires learning new techniques and handling special materials, which enables employees to develop valuable craft skills and enhance their professional qualifications.

Role model function: By successfully mastering the challenges of producing street furniture, sheltered workshops can serve as role models for other organizations wishing to implement similar socially and technically demanding projects.

Long-term jobs: The need for street furniture is endless and will always be there. We too must constantly evolve by continuously working on new products and carefully testing alternative materials. In this way, we can always offer our customers the best possible product, putting sustainability first and providing alternative solutions in the long term.

To what extent do social responsibility and climate protection play together in the development of new products from Westeifel Werke?

Social responsibility and climate protection are two important factors in the development of new products, but also in the further development of existing product lines. We have to make sure that people with disabilities can also master difficult and complicated tasks and our design ensures that as little excess material as possible is used. Our wooden benches are designed in such a way that even the smallest offcuts are not thrown away, but are recycled into heat energy. These approaches combine ecological and social responsibility and contribute to sustainable development.

How can street furniture from Westeifel Werke improve urban life for vulnerable groups during heatwaves?

Natural surfaces: Using materials that do not heat up strongly.

Creating rest areas: Shaded rest areas provide sufficient opportunities for breaks.

Ergonomic seating: Seating is designed and continuously improved to be comfortable and easily accessible to allow older people and other vulnerable groups to rest comfortably. In addition, integrated stand-up aids make it easier to get up from our benches.

The Westeifel-Werke group of companies has been known for creating jobs for people with disabilities since 1973. In its work, Westeifel-Werke pursues the goal of not excluding anyone. The right to experience and meeting people at eye level with respect are at the heart of the work. With a total of 13 locations in the Vulkaneifel district and the Eifel district of Bitburg-Prüm, Westeifel-Werke is the largest employer for people with disabilities in the region. From assembly and wood processing to jewelry production, the group of companies offers a wide range of services.

westeifel-werke.de/ | www.freiraumausstattung.de/